 |
| Ilocos Norte governor Imee R. Marcos meets with Ilocos Norte Muslim leaders. (Alaric Yanos photo) |
By Edison Justin Deus and Ma. Christian A. Ramos
PGIN-CMO
Laoag City—For a third time in a row, Superbrands Marketing
International, Inc. (SMI) bestowed the “Most Outstanding Governor” award on
Ilocos Norte’s Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos for her vision of a livable
sustainable, and resilient home province.
SMI held the awards program on November 28, 2017 in Makati City.
“Talaga namang tuwang-tuwa ako, at
hindi ko inaakalang magiging three-time awardee ako. So, first time, tuwang-tuwa
ako. Second, big surprise. Ngayon,
talagang nasindak ako. Hall of fame na
raw ang pangalan, so I’m very thrilled,” Ms. Marcos said.
SMI is a global branding and marketing organization which recognizes
politicians, professionals, companies, and executives who have significantly
contributed to the society. Recipients of the said award include governors who
enable inclusive growth among their constituents and demonstrate exemplary
public service.
Other awardees for the Outstanding Governors category this year include
Wilhelmino Alvarado of Bulacan, Faustino Dy of Isabela, Mujiv Hataman of the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Emmylou Mendoza of Cotabato,
Robert Rodrigueza of Sorsogon, Sharee Tan of Samar, Czarina Umali of Camarines
Sur, and Susan Yap of Tarlac.
On the eighth year of the award, SMI President and Chief Executive Officer
Harry Tambuatco remarked: “We are a private firm that does not stand on
political issues or positions. We are strictly straight on the nominations of
specific people who we believe should be awarded and given importance.”
She fulfills her Paspas Dur-as
(“fast progress”) tagline through the provincial vision "Pasingkedan ti
Kinatan-ok ni Ilocano!" (Together, we can make Ilocos Norte great again!)
which she launched upon taking office back in 2010. The program includes
agricultural projects, establishment of infrastructures, employment services,
and medical assistance, among others.
Ms. Marcos, known to have been a public servant since her youth through the
Kabataang Barangay, continues to empower the province’s youth sector, through
the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO: formerly Sirib Express) which
eventually formed the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA), a youth
volunteer organization that assists the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte
(PGIN) in delivering its services.
Also, Task Force Trabaho, an employment campaign initiated through her
administration, generated over 50,000 jobs which led Ilocos Norte to achieve
the lowest poverty incidence rate (15%) in Region One in 2016.
The governor is also aggressive in attracting investors to set up business
ventures in Ilocos Norte, bringing more employment and livelihood opportunities
to locals.
The “Paoay Kumakaway” tourism campaign, also an initiative of the governor,
and the maiden arrival of Star Cruise’s Superstar Virgo in Currimao Port last
March sustained the high rate of tourist arrival, setting 684.06% increase in
day visitors from 2012 to 2016. Superstar Virgo will be docking in the province
again this month.
Ilocos Norte has surpassed the national growth rate target set at 6.6 %
this year and it aims to secure 11% growth rate in 2018 through investments in
renewable energy, services, transport, and construction.
The initiatives of the governor led to sustainable and inclusive growth
within the different sectors of the province which qualified for SMI’s
criteria. She received the same award last 2015 and 2016.
Manifesting her commitment to public service, the governor, who is now on
her third and final term, pushes to develop a more “makaay-ayo a pagnaedan, agnanayon a panagdur-as, ken naandor nga ili—Ilocos
Norte, Nadayag a Pagnaedan!”
(livable, sustainable, and resilient home province—Ilocos Norte, the Home we
love), where Ilocanos are convinced that “Ilocos Norte is the very best place
to live in, and that they have a future here at home.”
“Time and again, we have proven that the Ilocano is above all naandor [resilient]—not only its
leadership, but more importantly, its people.”
Comments
Post a Comment