President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expects the current major infrastructure projects in Ilocos Region to boost countryside development and benefit small businesses in the country.

Leading the launching of the Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Pagudpud on Friday, President Marcos enumerated current government infrastructure initiatives to boost tourism in the region.

“All these projects are geared to expanding not only tourism but also development of the countryside, that allow a strong tourism industry,” President Marcos told the gathering.

“I am confident that these exciting developments will become a springboard for [the] further success [of] tourism in Ilocos Norte and the Philippines and from this moment onwards,” he said.

One of the projects mentioned by the President is the construction of the Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub in February 2024. The transport center is expected to ease city traffic and seamlessly connect transportation modes once completed next year.

The government is also pursuing the development of the Laoag International Airport particularly the runway expansion and rehabilitation to allow the facility to accommodate bigger aircraft and bring in more tourists to the region.

At the same time, the government also released funds for the construction of new bridges and the Pancian Viaduct along the Manila North Road to ensure the motorists’ safety.

The major industries of Ilocos Norte are tourism, agriculture and fisheries, food processing, and furniture making.

Last year, Ilocos Norte accounted for more than 20 percent of tourist arrivals in Region 1. It also received more than 3.5 million same-day visitors in 2023.

Some of the notable tourist destinations in the province are the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Burgos), Balaoi Beach (Pagudpud), Malacañang of the North (Paoay), Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (Burgos), Saud Beach (Pagudpud), Sand Dunes (Paoay), and St. Augustine Church (Paoay). PND