Gov Imee Marcos on Ilocos Norte’s ‘transformation’

ILOCOS VIEWS

Jennifer T. Pambid

LAOAG CITY – Citing stories of Ilocos Norte folks who have felt remarkable progress in their lives,Gov. Imee Marcos, during her fifth state of the province address (SOPA) at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena on Aug. 10, said the province is one of the few provinces nationwide to achieve millennium development goals (MDG) set by the United Nations Development Programme this year.

MDG is a worldwide movement adapted by the provincial government to significantly reduce extreme poverty.“We have done what we set out to do, exceeding poverty, employment, education, maternal health, and reforestation. From the alarming increase in poverty in 2010 (at 28%), poverty has now fallen to a record of 8.4%,” Marcos said.

According to her, progress in the province began with the transformation of the Capitol itself from a dark, filthy building into a tourist-friendly structure.

“Ang pag-asenso ng Ilocos Norte ay unang nakita sa Kapitolyo. Dati madungis at madilim, ngayon walang tigil ang mga taong magpa-selfie sa harapan! Inaaway pa ako ‘pag pinapatay ang fountain!” she said.

According to Marcos“Provincial income has doubled to P1.42 billion today, from a mere P739 million in 2010. More significantly, our self-generated income is now P319,541,427.”

With strengthened governance, Ilocos Norte maintained its ISO 9001 Certification, “now including tiny municipalities and remote extension hospitals. ISO ti international standard para iti naurnos ken nadalus a panangidaulo,” she added.

She cited improvement of services especially on health, education, jobs and livelihood as well as developments in transportation, peace and order, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and environment.

“Today, ours is a strong transitional economy, growing rapidly at 16.7%. With better- planned education, improving public health and social services, our human development index remains high and Ilocanos consistently outlive other Filipinos by 6 years, an average 75 years old,” she said.

She mentioned upcoming projects and developments of her administration starting from partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff, a leading multinational engineering and design firm, “to masterplan an integrated system of traffic management and signaling pedestrian facilities.”

The province is also building new tourism infrastructures to cater to the growing industry which has multiplied into 380.64% in the past two years.

A cultural policy ordinance will be enacted to further protect, develop and promote the cultural heritage of Ilocos Norte as a primary driver of growth, opportunity, livelihood and development.

Social services will also be improved through the establishment of a Women’s Charter and organization of Senior Citizens into active Office for Senior Citizens Affairs and Federated Senior Citizens Association Groups.

Marcos said “ordinary and extraordinary people building our province anew” are the Ilocanos whose lives have been meaningfully transformed for the past five years.as she recounted stories of transformation.

Bonifacio Aga, a beneficiary of provincial government’s Self-Employment Assistance Program, attested efficiency of the present administration. From being a small time trader of scrap materials, he became a wholesaler to a major business establishments in the province—after borrowing a certain amount from the program.

The SOPA also featured stories of various people who exemplified Ilocano talent, creativity, boldness and solidarity.

Among them are SEA Games Gold medalist and chess champion Mhage Sebastian, national most outstanding policeman of 2015 SPO1 Joy Manuela and famous web designer Vince Canlapan.

“Ngem ti importante ket ti panagsisinnakit tayo iti panawen ti rigat. Urayadu a dadakkel a proyektom no saan mo nga ammo ti mangisakit.Uray babassit a proyekto no dumanon a sapasap.(What’s important is our concern for everyone during hard times. Big projects do not make impacts if you do not know how to care. But small projects matter most when it benefits everyone),” Marcos said.

Marcos asked for cooperation and collaboration in all sectors of the province by launching the newest provincial slogan ‘TimpuyogtibarongaIlocos Norte.’

According to he governor, ‘timpuyog,’ an Ilocano term for unity, was the foundation of Ilocos Norte which helped rebuild the province anew in the past five years.

She added timpuyog or “endless network of communities” is the most important key to achieving future goals of the province.“Ti timpuyog maipakita tayo babaen ti pannakibinnulig.Ti ugali nga uray di ka yagga-ammo ket no makita a marigatan ka ket tulongan a kas pagayam. Amin ket kailian nga Ilocano, pakairamanan dagiti mangidadaulo kadatayo ken opisiales iti barangay. (“Unity is achieved through cooperation and recognizing that everyone who needs help is a friend. Everyone here is an Ilocano, including our leaders and barangay officials,)” she said.

To achieve visions for the province, Marcos said everyone must have the sincerity to serve, referring to the ‘Marcos Magic’ which is inherent in every Ilocano.

“Timpuyog! Let us honor the great Ilocano community, let us celebrate the new Ilocano!” Marcos concluded her 61-minute speech.