Bongbong plans more development for Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos is inviting investors to his province as he vowed to introduce more development from agriculture to tourism.

Marcos, who has introduced the country’s first wind farm, has announced the staging of the Ilocos Norte Investment Summit at Fort Ilocandia Resort in Laoag City on Oct. 12-14.

In a pre-summit held recently at the University of Asian and the Pacific, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Assistant Secretary Ferdinand Cui announced that from 2006 to 2010, the government is pouring in P25.4 billion for the development of Ilocos Norte.

During the pre-summit, Marcos vowed to develop more and better irrigation systems to help farmers bolster food production.

"In this regard, the provincial government will soon start constructing more farm-to-market roads for easier distribution of produce. Likewise, major lateral roads are set for construction in the entire province," he said.

Marcos said Ilocos Norte’s seaports, particularly in Currimao town, which accommodate only shallow-draft ships, will be redesigned and rehabilitated to allow the entry of larger cargo and ocean-going vessels. A new deep seaport in Laoag City is reportedly now on the drawing board.

Marcos is also eyeing the construction of more hotels across the province to accommodate more tourists.

"The province boasts of beautiful beaches in Pagudpud town, but not a single hotel has been constructed in the area for tourists. The same is true in other parts of the province, and traders usually endure hours of driving just to return to Laoag City, where the province’s only five-star hotel, Fort Ilocandia, is situated," he said.

Most lacking, according to Marcos, are first-class hotels.

Thus, Marcos’ plans include the construction of a grand conference center and high-rise hotels, particularly in areas frequented by tourists such as Pagudpud Beach.

The present international airport will be expanded to accommodate larger aircraft carrying passengers from China and other parts of the world.

Marcos also cited Ilocos Norte’s peace and order situation, which explains why the province is business- and investor-friendly.

Thus, he said, "Now is the right time to pick up the pace for meaningful investments to hasten the economic growth of the province in the next few years."

Even after his third term as governor ends next year, Marcos said the career people behind him in the provincial Capitol will still be there to continue the work that he has started.