By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos positioned the province as the Philippines’ northern gateway to Taiwan and East Asia, calling for deeper collaboration in smart ports, trade, tourism, and education during the 2025 Taiwan-Philippine Smart Harbor Forum here.
Addressing government officials, industry leaders, and academic partners, Marcos underscored that Ilocos Norte’s geography gives it a strategic advantage few Philippine regions possess. Facing Taiwan across the Luzon Strait, the province is the country’s closest landmass to Taiwan—an advantage she described as both physical and economic.
“Ilocos Norte is closer to Taiwan than many realize—and that proximity creates real, investible opportunities in trade, tourism, and logistics,” Marcos said.
She framed Taiwan-Philippines relations as a maritime partnership shaped by shared heritage and historic trade routes that long predate modern political borders.
Trade and logistics opportunity
Marcos highlighted Ilocos Norte’s potential as a less-congested northern entry point for Taiwanese trade and logistics, complementing major ports in Luzon and Metro Manila. She pointed to opportunities in smart port development, green logistics, and resilient maritime infrastructure—areas where Taiwan’s advanced port technologies align with Philippine growth priorities.
“Our ports and airport are operational, international-ready, and positioned as a less-congested northern entry point into the Philippines,” she said.
The port of Currimao and nearby facilities, she added, offer scalable platforms for regional shipping, cruise operations, and future logistics integration linking Taiwan, Northern Philippines, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Proven air and sea connectivity
Marcos stressed that Ilocos Norte is building on proven foundations. The province has previously hosted chartered international flights connecting Laoag to Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, and Macau, with more than 200,000 international passengers recorded between 2004 and 2023.
“The demand is already there. What we are doing now is reconnecting and scaling routes that have already proven viable,” she said.
Laoag International Airport is fully operational for international travel, capable of accommodating Airbus A320 aircraft and supported by customs, immigration, and quarantine services. Ongoing upgrades—including a new passenger terminal and planned airside and rail expansions—aim to transform Laoag into a fully upgraded international air hub.
On the maritime side, Ilocos Norte is gaining traction as a cruise tourism destination. The port of Currimao has welcomed international cruise ships from Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Most recently, a cruise vessel carrying nearly 2,000 Taiwanese passengers docked in the province, reinforcing its appeal in regional itineraries.
Tourism beyond beaches
Marcos also highlighted Ilocos Norte’s high-value tourism assets, positioning the province as a destination that blends nature, heritage, and curated experiences. These include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Paoay Church, one of Asia’s oldest functioning lighthouses, scenic coastlines, and the Paoay Sand Dunes—the country’s only desert-like landscape and an emerging venue for adventure tourism and cultural festivals.
“This is not only a tourism play; it is a strategic investment platform linking air, sea, culture, and community,” she said.
The province, she added, is shifting toward sustainable, premium tourism, particularly for cruise passengers and East Asian travelers seeking culture-driven and experiential destinations.
Education and people-to-people exchange
Beyond trade and tourism, Marcos pitched Ilocos Norte as an education-tourism hub, promoting English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs in partnership with state universities, including Mariano Marcos State University and Northwestern University.
“We welcome partnerships that combine education, tourism, and cultural exchange—creating long-term people-to-people connections,” she said.
The programs are designed to attract Taiwanese students for short-term English training paired with cultural immersion and travel.
Investment-ready province
Marcos emphasized that Ilocos Norte is investment-ready, citing existing hospitality infrastructure, convention facilities, and planned developments that can support large tour groups, business events, and public-private partnerships.
“Ilocos Norte is not starting from zero—we have existing connectivity, existing demand, and communities ready to support growth,” she said.
Her vision, she added, is to position the province as a future-ready platform for regional cooperation.
“Our goal is clear: to position Ilocos Norte as the Philippines’ northern gateway—efficient, connected, and future-ready,” Marcos said.
Strategic message to Taiwan
Her message to Taiwanese investors and partners was direct: Ilocos Norte is ready, connected, and close. With operational airports, capable ports, and engaged communities, the province is positioning itself as Taiwan’s most natural partner in the Philippines for smart harbor development, logistics integration, tourism growth, and education exchange.
“We are ready. Our infrastructure is in place, our upgrades are underway, and our people are prepared to partner,” Marcos said.
As Taiwan and the Philippines deepen regional cooperation, Ilocos Norte is emerging as a frontline platform for shared growth—linking oceans, cultures, and future opportunities across the Luzon Strait.