When
the present administration came into power, Gov. Bongbong
Marcos has immediately recognized the province’s
strategic location from markets belonging to the East
Asian Region. The revival of such trade relationship,
is just long overdue considering that the province had
very active trade relations with these countries long
before the coming of the Spaniards.
To be more competitive with the other East Asian economies,
the province has begun to shift from being an agricultural
into an agro-industrial center.
This is highlighted by the fact that one of the major
project, he desired to see working before his term ends
is the operation of the two windmill projects being undertaken
in the adjacent towns of Burgos and Bangui.
And with a network of well-paved roads connecting the
province’s various municipalities and surrounding
provinces, the province hopes to reap more investment
opportunities.
The improvement of the seaport in Currimao is an additional
feature for Ilocos Norte as cargo vessels with bigger
storage capacities can now dock in the said seaport. As
always, the Laoag International Airport has witnessed
the steady growing numbers of visitors coming from the
neighboring countries. As the opportunities come closer
to our sight, the province can surely utilize the large
pool of talented and well-trained workforce for any form
of employment.
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Fort
Ilocandia Resort and Casino |
| Photo
Courtesy of www.visit-ilocos.com |
In
terms of agriculture, the unstable prices of tobacco in
recent years has prompted the large number of tobacco
growers to shift from traditional crops to high value
crops such as garlic, onions and tomatoes.
Lately, the province is inclined to invest in food processing,
given the enough raw materials to be used.
The operation of the Marcos Feedmill will soon give the
livestock raisers here a more breathing ground to further
boost the “not so” profitable industry because
of the high cost of feeds available in the market.
Flourishing
the tourism industry has become a compelling vision of
the administration, thus, the province has been doing
everything to attract visitors. There are, of course,
hotels and recreation centers that have operated but more
investments are needed that would lure tourist to keep
coming back here.
Recognizing the province potential for eco-tourism destination,
the province has developed several areas for any eco-tourism
activities. One of which is the Kaangrian Falls in Burgos.
The
declaration of Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino as a Special
Economic Tourism Zone, has reaafirmed the province’s
role as the tourism hub in the north. Surely, more opportunities
is being lined up for Ilocos Norte to take in the coming
days.
