“Home of Kuripot People” Welcomes Luzon Tourist

 We welcome you to our home, Ilocos Norte; a small and humble province, known for its windmills and sand dunes, its cultural heritage, but most importantly, its kuripot (stingy) people,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos expressed, as he invites Luzon tourists in the province.

He also greeted among others Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Region I Director Joseph Francisco Ortega, Region I and Baguio City chief executives and tourism council officers, and other attendees last night during the Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor Ilocos Launch at Sitio Remedios, Currimao.

Formally inaugurating Phase II or the inter-regional phase of “Ridge and Reef” which allows tourists from other Luzon provinces and cities to travel to Ilocos Norte, Gov. Marcos Manotoc remarked:

“We all know too well how COVID-19 has hurt our tourism. Though tonight’s opening and  launch may not be a cure-all, it certainly is a small solution and a great step in the right direction.”

He further lauded DOT, particularly its national chief, saying:

“We thank the DOT for taking the lead in the past few months.

We’ve come to know a woman [Sec. Romulo-Puyat] who is very humble, unpretentious, and most importantly, pragmatic. She understands local issues and is sensitive to the opinions and ideas of local leaders. She understands that we need to have localized solutions.

Previously, DOT and the Department of Health have provided stringent requirements for tourism reopening, namely, the availability of local COVID-19 testing capacity, an effective contact tracing plan, and accredited accommodation facilities; reiterating the importance of opening “slowly and safely.”

Meanwhile, yesterday, the provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, through its Provincial Tourism Office and Communications and Media office, organized a press conference attended by Sec. Romulo-Puyat, Dir. Ortega, Gov. Marcos Manotoc and Region I and Baguio tourism officers. Simultaneously, a 2-day mini trade fair was launched, featuring the bookable tours and products of “Ridge and Reef” component cities and provinces.

On October 15, Ilocos Norte welcomed its first four (4) tourists from Baguio City and Antipolo.

“I am proud to work with you and I know that our shared future will be brighter because of tonight’s launch,” Gov. Marcos Manotoc ended.－Edison Justin B. Deus, PGIN-CMO