Hawaii to open first overseas office in Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — The State of Hawaii will open its first overseas office in Ilocos Norte, purportedly to boost trade, investments, tourism and job opportunities while strengthening ties with one of the largest Ilocano communities abroad.

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said the Hawaii office will be housed at the Dap-ayan Center in Laoag City and will serve as a hub for economic, cultural and workforce development partnerships between the province and the US state, home to thousands of Ilocano migrants and their descendants.

Provincial officials said the office would help connect local businesses with Hawaii-based markets and investors, creating opportunities for Ilocos Norte’s agriculture, food processing and tourism sectors. It is also expected to support workforce training and employment initiatives for Ilocanos.

The planned office came after recent discussions between Ilocos Norte officials and Hawaii government representatives aimed at deepening cooperation in trade promotion, disaster resilience, education, creative industries and cultural exchange.

Ms. Araneta-Marcos described it as a milestone for the Ilocos Norte saying, “it could open new economic opportunities while reinforcing the historic people-to-people ties linking Hawaii and the Ilocos region for more than a century.” — Artemio A. Dumlao