Gov. Manotoc urges Fil-Ams in Hawaii, LA to invest in Ilocos Norte

Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc urges Filipino Americans to invest in the hotel industry, renewable energy, responsible mining, data centers and institutions of higher learning. Photo from Joe Cobilla

LOS ANGELES – Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, who visited Los Angeles and Honolulu this week, has urged Filipino Americans to invest in Ilocos Norte and support the province’s economic growth and development.

Ilocos Norte is open for business, Manotoc told the Fil-Am community leaders gathered at the Philippines Consulate in Los Angeles on March 15.

Consul General Edgar Badajos welcomed Manotoc and his team, saying “many of our younger officials are enlightened and have progressive ideas.”

The delegation from the governor’s office included Chief of Staff Pancho Jose, Head of Investment Soya Bueno and Head of Tourism Xavier Ruiz.

TJ Manotoc, North America bureau chief at ABS CBN News, asks a question during his half-brother Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc’s meeting with Fil-Am community leaders at the Philippine consulate in LA. Photo from Joe Cobilla

Manotoc said the Philippine economy, powered by a young workforce, is growing at a very fast pace.

“Although kababayans are grateful for remittances, (sending money back home) is a gift and a curse, and there is a need to capacitate our people and build communities,” he said.

The governor urged Fil-Ams to invest in the hotel industry, renewable energy, responsible mining, data centers and institutions of higher learning.

He noted the long history of Ilocanos in the United States – the farmers who migrated to Hawaii and the Central Valley of California and the cannery workers in Alaska and Monterey, California.

The governor flew in from Honolulu, where he participated in discussions on collaborative activities to spur exchanges in the areas of trade, investments, tourism and culture between Hawaii and Ilocos Norte.

Consul General Emil Fernandez and Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc (center) with Consulate and Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte officials. Photo from PCG Honolulu

Manotoc and the province’s delegation were welcomed by Consul General Emil Fernandez on March 11 at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu.

He was invited by Governor Josh Green to be the keynote speaker at the Hawaii Philippines Sister Provinces Business Symposium at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on March 13.

The symposium was presented by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, in partnership with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i (FCCH).

The goal of the symposium was to strengthen and maximize opportunities provided by the sister relationships between Hawai‘i and the Philippines. The symposium included speakers from government, community and educational, cultural and business sectors from Hawai‘i and the Philippines.

“The relationship between Hawai‘i and the Philippines is long and historic. Furthering a strong and vibrant sister relationship between Hawai‘i and the Philippines ensures that we maintain a mutually beneficial partnership,” said Gov. Green.

“Hawai‘i is home to over 380,000 residents of Filipino and part-Filipino descent. And most can trace their roots to one of our sister provinces and Ilocos Norte in particular,” said Susana Berardy, president of the FCCH.

The symposium covered topics on workforce development, import-export opportunities, sustainability, energy, infrastructure and tourism.