When Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc took over the governorship of Ilocos Norte, the northern province faced significant challenges. A strong typhoon had devastated the region, and the global COVID-19 pandemic loomed large. Yet, through resolute leadership and unwavering conviction, the young governor has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, harnessing the province’s abundant natural resources.
PIONEERING SAFE TRAVEL AMIDST A GLOBAL SCARE
Ilocos Norte’s commitment to safety and innovation during the pandemic has not gone unnoticed. In September 2021, it became the first Philippine province to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp, recognizing its adoption of globally recognized health and safety protocols.
“During the Covid-19, tourism was the worst hit po and we tried to find ways to continue first and foremost the safety of our people. We’re the first province to reopen for tourism. Thanks to former tourism secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. Our tourism department has been very active in seeking accreditation from the WTTC,” Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc, with a glint in his eyes, tells Balikbayan Magazine in an exclusive interview.
A CAMPAIGN THAT CAPTIVATES
Ilocos Norte, one of the first destinations in the Philippines to reopen for tourism, was also part of the pioneer Ridge and Reef Tourism Corridor among Region I provinces and Baguio City. WTTC recognized the presence of safety nets for stakeholders in the industry, specifically the establishment of a tourists’ triage, the regular conduct of hotel inspections, and its pioneering effort to prioritize tourism workers in its vaccine rollout: “Ilocos Norte is one of the first provinces that has started rolling out vaccines for its tourism sector as part of its program towards herd immunity.”
The province’s “I’m IN” ad campaign, that has brought it to the forefront, has become a tremendous cynosure among the local tourists. “We have launched our new ‘I’m IN’ tourism ad campaign in 2021 which pushes Ilocos Norte to the forefront, to carve out our place amongst the premiere tourist destinations in the country. We were able to develop new tourist attractions such as the Paoay Lake Water Park and the stacked stones and mirror installations at the Paoay Sand Dunes.”
It had some pocket events, for instance having some drive-in film showings in the sand dunes. This November the province had invited Ilocano and non-Ilocano residents to participate in Himala sa Buhangin (miracle in the sand) event during the Himala Arts and Music Festival at Paoay Sand Dunes with some arts installations to be appreciated.
It has other attractions like the white sand beaches, the windmills, the rock formations, the cultural treasures, the old churches, the museums, the Malacanang of the North, the Patapat Viaduct, Solsona-Apayao Road, and the charming and beautiful town of Adams, among others. Its updated Tourism Masterplan by world-renowned Ilokano architect Jun Palafox has been completed and would guide its tourism developments moving forward.
“Ilocos Norte is still underdeveloped and underpopulated, and we’ve really a lot to do (to make it highly industrialized),” candidly admitted Gov. Manotoc. Even with all of these innovative programs, he seeks to invest more in the preservation and creation of businesses, jobs and livelihoods and provide support to ailing but vital industries, for he sees more stability in industries and believes businesses are more sustainable.
EDUCATION THE BEDROCK OF PROGRESS
Governor Manotoc led the implementation of the Metro Ilocos Norte Masterplan, advancing key infrastructure projects, including bridges, terminal hubs, airports, and seaports.Gov. Matthew took a psychology course at Claremont McKenna College in California, a sports management from the University of California-Los Angeles, and a certificate in management development from the Asian Institute of Management. In 2018, he obtained a certificate in Harnessing Organizational and Individual Capacities for Excellent Services in Local Government Units course at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Three years after, he took an executive course in agriculture development at the Mariano Marcos State University. In 2023, he attended the National University of Singapore’s Stanford Graduate School of Business.
He ran as a provincial board member representing the 2nd legislative district of Ilocos Norte and he won. He was also declared as the Senior Provincial Board Member of Ilocos Norte, which made him the third highest-ranking official of the province. From 2016 to 2019, he was also chairman of the National Movement of Young Legislators-Ilocos Norte Chapter.
Speaking of education and the province’s Scholarship Program, Gov. Manotoc mentioned the Sirmata Provincial Learners Scholarship Program of Ilocos Norte that was approved in January 2020. “It integrates all existing scholarship programs of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and increases its benefits.”
Some of the salient features include the increase of benefits for academic scholarship with a semestral stipend of Php20,000.00; the merging of Community and Youth Leadership Scholarship into one, naming it as Sirib Youth Leaders Scholarship; and the creation of the Doctor of Medicine Scholarship.
Aside from being family-oriented, hardworking, determined and persevering, the Ilocano people place a high value on education. “Recently, we added Senior High School Scholarship, Culture and Arts Scholarship, Agriculture and Fisheries Scholarship, and Juris Doctor Scholarship,” said Gov. Manotoc.
NEW FRONTIER
In terms of promotion of sports tourism, there is the rehabilitation of the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial (FEM) Stadium, which has the current seating capacity of more than 12,000, occupying around 43,820 square meters of land.
“It’s becoming a favorite place for runners and sports enthusiasts. The new stadium also features an open southern end, which includes an outdoor amphitheater and a sloping lawn that leads to the university belt,” elucidated Gov. Manotoc, who is an avid golfer and basketball player (later turned basketball coach) and co-founder of Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM).
The province hosted the 2024 Region I Athletic Association (R1AA) meet hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte. Then there were the successful holding of NBTC (National Basketball Training Center) North Luzon Regional Championship and the Little League Philippine Series Regional Finals. “Palarong Pambansa 2025 preparations are underway and we are to host this national event, promoting youth engagement in sports.”
It should be noted that the province hosted the SurfIN Ilocos Norte and the Philippine Kiteboarding Association’s Surfing Competition, both in Pagudpud in 2022. “We want Ilocos Norte to be the sports hub in northern Luzon.”
Behind these accomplishments, he believes in sustaining a peaceful, environmental, innovative initiative that is crucial in ensuring progress, development and growth. With sustained peace and order, he believes that the Ilokano community can thrive, families can achieve their ambitions, and the youth can build on their dreams.
No matter the crisis, its people have always survived, and ultimately, they have prevailed. The Ilocanos have proven that the true resiliency of Ilocos Norte is not only in its leaders but in its people.
“We have seen that, regardless of the calamity. We stand tough and we stand together. The Ilocano spirit always prevails,” he concluded with alacrity.
And something he said still lingers in this writer’s mind: to focus on what is important and stay humble for being humble allows one to rationally acknowledge ways one can improve on. He never fails to say po and admits mistakes. Humility can produce more happiness, positive emotions, and well-being because a person has a clearer understanding and a vision to lend a helping hand to a fellow Filipino.
