Ilocos Norte folks mark 104th birthday of Marcos

By Leander Domingo

LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte celebrated the 104th birth anniversary of late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) starting last week with this year's theme "Disiplina at Pagkakaisa," echoing the famous slogan of FEM's administration, "Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan."
    Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc, who led the celebration, urged Ilocos Norte residents to be disciplined and united as Ilocos Norte grapples with its worst Covid-19 outbreak since the onset of the pandemic last year.
    Commencing Sept. 11, this year's Marcos Day celebration started with a thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception     Parish, followed by a wreath-laying at the "Daytoy ti Bannawag" monument.
    Livestream of the ceremony of the Sept. 11 events were posted on the Facebook page "Marcos Centennial."
    As part of the celebration, a medical mission offering free dialysis for indigent residents was held Sept. 11 to 17 at Mariano     Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.
    The Marcos family said a career week was launched for Ilocanos who seek employment while senior citizens whose birthdays fall this month will receive presents from the family through a week-long gift giving event.
    The celebration included distribution of Covid-19 relief packs to vulnerable families particularly in the towns of Paoay, Sarrat and Pasuquin, as well as food packs to severely affected barangay (villages) throughout the province, the family added.
    Meanwhile, the provincial board passed a resolution declaring Sept. 10, 2021, instead of the actual birth anniversary of FEM on Sept. 11, which fell on a Saturday this year, as a special nonworking holiday for provincial, city and municipal offices in the province.
    Approved on Sept. 6, Provincial Resolution 351-2021 commemorates FEM's "legacy of idealism and philosophy."