Imee Marcos is SMI hall of famer outstanding governor

By Ma. Christian A. Ramos

LAOAG CITY -- For the third consecutive year, Superbrands Marketing Inc. (SMI) has named Ilocos Norte's Imee R. Marcos as Most Outstanding Governor.

“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 daw ang pangalan, so I’m very thrilled,” she said.

Marcos was first a recipient of the award in September 2015, earning the title again in March 2016.

SMI as an award-giving body recognizes quality governance throughout the country, particularly considering achievements in inclusive growth and public accountability.

Provincial Board Member Matthew Marcos Manotoc, youngest son of the governor, was also awarded this year as Outstanding Local Legislator.

Gov. Marcos said: “I am even more excited dahil yung anak ko, kasama din na Best Local Legislator… eh masipag naman yung bata kaya natutuwa akong naparangalan. Sana ganahan pa siya at kaming mag-ina ay puspusan na magtatrabaho.

“Salamat sa patuloy na suporta sa pamilya namin na hindi humuhupa, kaya na-inspire kami na todo-todo pa rin ang pas-pas dur-as (mabilis na progreso)!"

Paspas Dur-as, tagline of Gov. Marcos, is being fulfilled through the provincial vision "Pasingkedan ti Kinatan-ok ni Ilocano!" (Together, we can make Ilocos Norte great again!) which started when she took office back in 2010. The program includes agricultural projects, a focus on infrastructure, employment services, medical assistance, and scholarships, among others.

With early experience in local governance and youth engagement, she initiated the 2014 Sirib Express, a flagship program for the youth which is today known as the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), an official Capitol department that is pushing now for the creation of YDOs in every city and municipality of the province.

Her employment campaign, Task Force Trabaho, generated over 50,000 jobs which contributed to Ilocos Norte's lowest poverty incidence rate (15%) in Region One in 2016. Meanwhile she continues inviting investors to set up businesses in Ilocos Norte and create more local jobs.

Tourist arrivals remain high with the “Paoay Kumakaway” tourism program, also by the governor, bringing more tourists with the Star Cruises Superstar Virgo docking in Currimao Port. Per records, there has been a 684.06% increase in day visitors from 2012 to 2016.

These initiatives, sustained even up to her third term as governor, earned Marcos her third Outstanding Governor award from SMI. Earlier this year, she received a Medal of Distinction for significant achievements in public service from the Golden Globe Annual Awards Council (GGAAC).

Manifesting her commitment to public service, she 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, 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.”