Gov. Imee Marcos sworn into office, thanks Ilocano supporters

Hon. Imee R. Marcos sworn in today, June 28, 2016, as the Governor of Ilocos Norte through a mass inauguration of elected provincial officials held at the Plaza del Norte Convention Center in Laoag City.

Following her oath-taking administered by Judge Philip Salvador, Governor Imee immediately addressed the crowd and expressed her gratitude for the all-out support of the Ilocanos despite her running unopposed during the elections.

“Agyamanak kadakayo amin gapu ti napalaus nga ayat ken suportayo kaniak itay napalabas nga eleksiyon. Iti maikadua a gundaway, saanyo manen nga inpalubos nga adda kinabalubal ko,” beamed Governor Imee.

(“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for the love and support you have given me in the recent elections. For the second time, you made it possible for me to run unopposed.”)

Solid North and ‘Uppat a Pato’

In her short speech, Governor Marcos also thanked those who supported her mother and youngest son, third-termer Ilocos Norte Second District Representative Imelda R. Marcos and first-termer Provincial Board Member Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, respectively.

“Sabi sa Manila, may tatlong bibe, kaming tatlo (Governor Imee, Congresswoman Imelda, Board Member Matthew) na iyon,” added Governor Imee referring to the viral children’s song in social media ‘Ang Tatlong Bibe.’

She, however, highlighted that the Ilocano version of the viral song does not only have three but four ducks, saying, “Sa atin dito sa Ilocos ‘uppat a pato’ (four ducks). So paparating na ang pang-apat na pato (duck) na ang kapatid ko na si (Senator) Bongbong (Marcos).”

Priding on the unique Ilocano culture of ‘timpuyog’ or unity, Governor Marcos expressed her full gratitude to the Solid North for helping the Vice Presidential bid of his brother Senator Bongbong in the recent national elections.

“Saan pay a nalpas ti laban. Agbiag ti Solid North!” said by Governor Marcos.

(The fight is not yet over. Long live Solid North!)

First elected in 2010, Governor Marcos pushed for the overall transformation and inclusive progress in the province with her projects focusing on the development of the agriculture, manufacturing and tourism industries.

Governor Marcos also prioritized the creation of thousand jobs for Ilocanos by bringing in investors in the province noteworthy of which is the establishment of the delivery centers of major Business Process Outsourcing companies like Accenture and Expert Global Solutions which are set to offer an estimated of 8,000 jobs in the next years.

Set to begin her third term, Governor Marcos reaffirmed her commitment to finish what she started and pledged to improve the lives of every Ilocano especially the youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and indigenous people.—John Michael Mugas, PGIN-CMO