Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos on Monday outlined her administration’s long-term vision for Ilocos Norte, highlighting governance reforms, tourism growth, infrastructure development, investments and expanded public services during her first State of the Province Address (SOPA).

Addressing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Ilocandia Cultural Center, Marcos said the province’s progress should ultimately be measured by improvements in the lives of its people. She anchored her speech on the theme “Cervisio A Mapagtalkan: Nasudi, Nadur-as ken Natan-ok a Pagnaedan,” describing public trust as “the true measure of service.”

Marcos also reflected on succeeding her late husband, former governor Mariano “Nonong” Marcos II, saying she chose to continue the shared vision they had for the province.

Among the province’s reported gains, Marcos cited nearly 550,000 tourist arrivals, more than 4.48 million visitors, and P10 billion in tourism receipts. She also announced plans to expand tourism events through the launch of “Himala sa Stadium” next year, which she described as a larger production at the Marcos Stadium.

The governor identified renewable energy as a key economic driver, citing more than P57 billion in potential investments from ongoing solar and wind power projects. These include the Astra Solar Project, Opus Solar Project, Bangui 2 Wind Power Project, renewable energy developments involving Alba Renewables, Aboitiz Power and Sta. Clara Power Corporation.

Marcos also said Ilocos Norte has secured Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) pre-qualification clearance for the proposed Ilocos Norte Economic Zone, which she said could attract manufacturing, technology and other industries.

She cited partnerships with Taiwanese investors, the Sagut ti Bawang microfinancing program, the continued growth of the business process outsourcing sector, and Megaworld’s Ilocandia Coast Town development.

She also highlighted the province’s tourism, trade and investment mission to the United States, which included the renewal of its sister-state partnership with Hawaii, promotion of local products, educational exchanges and the launch of the Genuine Ilokano Program. Marcos said the State of Hawaii will establish its first overseas office outside the United States at the province’s Dap-ayan Building.

On governance, Marcos said the provincial government introduced reforms to improve operations, including the rollout of a payroll module under the PGIN Super App, an increase in entry-level salaries from Salary Grade 1 to Salary Grade 3, the creation of more than 350 permanent and casual positions, and the establishment of new offices for information, biosystems agriculture, procurement and PWD affairs.

She also cited programs in education, healthcare, agriculture, disaster preparedness and social services, including scholarships for nearly 2,500 students, digital classroom investments, hospital upgrades, the province’s first agricultural trading hub Bagsakan ti Norte, farm support projects and the completion of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Command Center.

Looking ahead, Marcos said she envisions Laoag International Airport operating at full capacity with direct flights to Hawaii and other destinations in China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. She also expressed hopes of establishing a Cancer Center, Kidney Center and Children’s Hospital, attracting more hospitality investments and hosting more national and international events.

Marcos ended her address by saying she envisions “an Ilocos Norte where no one is left behind,” stressing that progress should not only be measured through infrastructure, airports, hospitals or investments, but through improvements in the lives of Ilokanos.

“True progress is measured by how the lives of our people change for the better,” she said.