LAOAG CITY — Ilocos Norte and Apayao are both gifted with natural wonders. So, instead of fighting over a long time boundary dispute, Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos on Monday reached out to the people of Apayao and offered a tourism exchange program to benefit both provinces.
In between aerial inspection of habagat damages and delivery of relief goods to the affected residents of Adams and Carasi towns, Marcos touched down in Luna, Apayao to honor the invitation of Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. as guest of honor and speaker during the 118th Philippine Civil Service Month celebration in Luna.
In her speech, she said the opening of the Ilocos Norte-Apayao road offers huge opportunities to both residents of Apayao and Ilocos Norte in terms of tourism development.
“It is now easy to come to Ilocos Norte via Solsona-Apayao road. I invite you to come visit our province. Let us not fight over our boundary as we are one family and one solid north,” Marcos said as she noted an “eat-all-you can fruit tour” in Ilocos Norte’s dragon fruit, mango and coconut can be extended to Apayao’s rambutan, lansones and durian fruits among others,” she said.
As she acknowledge that Cordillera is now open for business, she added that the two million tourists visiting Ilocos Norte can go to Apayao in order to boost community tourism.
Feeling like no other to some Apayao residents, who trace their roots in Ilocos Norte, Marcos received a warm welcome with military honors from thousands of Apayao officials and residents who joined the provincewide event.
Marcos also lauded the Apayao government for initiating a unique celebration to honor government service workers.
Under the leadership of Bulut, all government employees – both from local and national line agencies – are gathered as one to celebrate the Civil Service Month in Luna, where the government center is located.
“This is unusual and special occasion for our industrious and patient government workers with no overtime and no lunch break. Congratulations to all of us,” said Marcos, as she flew back to Ilocos Norte on the same day via a military chopper to continue in the relief operations and inspection of damages in the province’s cultural minority groups. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
