IRM bats for partnership among Ilocos provinces

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos expressed a joint effort for Ilocos provinces to cooperate each other and form a partnership towards further boosting agriculture and tourism growth.

Speaking before a big crowd at the Tupid Festival in Mangatarem, Pangasinan on Saturday, Governor Marcos cited the Pangasinan’s ylang-ylang perfume and essential oil product which is in demand in Europe, as well as the export-quality coffee crop at Piddig town in her home province of Ilocos Norte.

“We can learn from each other, and hopefully the best practices will be propagated at tayong lahat ay makatulong sa isa’t-isa.”

She lamented the lack of subsidies being given to farmers in the country saying that they formed the sector that feeds Metro Manila.

“Alam natin na mahirap ang buhay ng mga magsasaka. Kulang na kulang ang tulong sa irigasyon, sa binhi, sa abono – lahat iyan, kailangang tulungan,” she added.

On pest infestations, particularly cecid flies or “kurikong” in mango plantations in the region: “Kapit-bisig kami dito at sa buong Pangasinan dahil sa Norte, pare-pareho ang ating mga problema.”

She pointed out the provincial governments of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan should have a joint major role to cater on the boom of tourists because, in her northernmost province, an average of P1.8 million day visitors per year was recorded.

“Gusto ko sanang makipag-cooperate… para share-share tayo sa mga turista. Kung pwedeng umikot ng Hundred Islands, pwedeng umikot ng magagandang tanawin dito sa Pangasinan, tapos isang gabi sa Ilocos Norte, isang gabi sa Vigan, why not? I-share natin at magkakaroon din ng magandang experience yung ating mga turista,” the lady governor stressed. (pgin/cmo)