Gov. Marcos Manotoc distributes P32 M in assistance, leads groundbreaking of terminal hub at Ilocos Norte's 206th anniv

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), spearheaded by Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, kicks off the month-long celebration of the 206th foundation anniversary of the province through the distribution of over P 32 million worth in assistance and the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ilocos Norte Central Terminal Hub and Parking Building today, February 2.

PGIN conducted a flag-raising ceremony, which local officials and provincial government employees attended to commence the celebration. It was followed by the awarding of livelihood projects and distribution of stipends to scholars, cash assistance to Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, various emergency response equipment, and agricultural inputs, and concluded with the groundbreaking ceremony at the Provincial Engineering Office grounds.

The assistance distribution marks Gov. Marcos Manotoc's continued service and commitment to improving the lives of every Ilokano, particularly those in the marginalized sector, to make Ilocos Norte a more progressive and inclusive province.

He encouraged his fellow public servants to recommit to the betterment of the province, saying:

"I ask all of you [to] join me on this new chapter in the history of the province of Ilocos Norte, and may we make it a chapter that we can all look back upon with great pride and joy and knowing that we did all that we could for our kakailian." 

Moreover, the provincial government distributed the initial stipends to the ten scholars of the Juris Doctor Scholarship program.

On the other hand, in preparation for calamities and disasters, the Office of Civil Defense donated 28 units of generator sets to add to the 1,230 pieces of life jackets from the provincial government to be distributed to component local government units.

Meanwhile, PGIN, through the Metro Ilocos Norte and the Department of Transportation, conducted the groundbreaking for the construction of the Ilocos Norte Central Terminal Hub and Parking Building in Laoag City.

Gov. Marcos Manotoc highlighted their efforts and assured his support to the members of the transport sector, saying:

"We held multiple consultations with the different transport groups to involve our PUVs [because] we wanted to make sure that when we built this transportation hub, all our PUVs would take part and join and would eventually relocate here.

We made sure that this was buttom-up approach, very community-based, at talagang nag-commit po ang ating mga PUV and we pledge, ang pangako po natin sakanila [ay] kasama sila sa proyekto na to, at ito ay para sa kanila to make sure that organized ang public transportation dito sa Ilocos Norte."

The governor also said this is not a single transportation hub, and they look forward to opening another on the eastern side of Laoag City.

Moreover, Arch. Felino Palafox, the designer of the project, said that the hub is a socially interactive area where locals and visitors can walk around and that it would start a seamless connectivity.

The hub is a mixed-used commercial establishment with government offices, eco-friendly spaces, retail commercials, a roof garden, a bus, a jeepney, tricycle parking, and terminals.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cipriano Martinez III, MINC consultant, said they ensured that all members must be in good standing with the organization, provincial government, respective LGUs, and the riding public to sustain a well-organized and systematic transport for the Ilokano community.

The hub will serve as the central terminal and parking place for all intra-provincial busses, jeepneys, taxis, and Laoag City tricycles, and a pick-up and drop-off point for commuters entering and exiting the province, making land travel more convenient and comfortable. 

"Let us remain cognizant of the fact that this development is for the benefit and convenience of our kakailian, so we make sure that despite how beautiful and green it may look, what's most important is it's truly practical, it's functional, and that it serves our people in the best way possible," Gov. Marcos Manotoc ended.