LAOAG CITY—The year 2024 was a good year for Ilocos Norte, with an 8.6 percent economic expansion – the fastest among four provinces in Region I.
This despite the devastating impact of El Niño that was followed by a series of typhoons, and the continuing threat of African swine fever which affected thousands of hog farmers in the province.
Amid all these, the local economy remained strong with services, accommodation, transportation, and storage among the major industries that posted strong output this year, ranging from 15. 6 percent to 29.7 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
By fostering a business-friendly environment through streamlined business transactions, the province continues to attract renewable power and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to expand in this northern gateway of Luzon, according to Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Office head Rona Leigh Cheng Bueno.
The rise of BPO companies in the province has also created thousands of jobs among residents.
This year, the province sustained a 98.7 percent employment rate, placing the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) as the best performer in Region 1 due to its numerous programs aimed to provide job opportunities to locals.
Provincial data shows over 350,000 individuals were employed this year, with the latest report from PESO showing employment opportunities in Ilocos Norte increased to around 50 percent from a mere three percent in 2010.
Lizette Atuan said the increase is attributed to various job fairs, technical-vocational training, livelihood and self-employment assistance and cash-for-work programs being offered both by government and private institutions.
Currently, Ilocos Norte is also home to over 100 wind turbines installed across the province, with over 360 megawatts of total generating capacity. The electricity from these wind turbines provides power to thousands of homes in the country.
With the establishment of the Ilocos Norte Incubation Center, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ilocanos has also increased with a total of 22,490 registered micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in 2024 from last year’s 18,845 based on available data from the provincial government.
“Our incubation center serves as a one-stop shop for our MSMEs. Aside from providing a physical facility for them, we also give them customized services based on their requests,” said Elma Gabriel, head of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Office (MSMEO).
In July this year, the MSMEO in Ilocos Norte received a presidential award as an outstanding development partner for institutionalizing its Producer-to-Consumer (P2C) program in Quezon City and San Juan City in Metro Manila, generating more than PHP1 million gross sales for participating MSMEs every time they go to the metro to sell their products for two days for at least twice a month.
Gabriel said the MSMEO continues to innovate on its programs and services based on the needs of its clients.
“Our programs and projects are flexible. We continue to adopt to make it relevant,” she added.
The online platform of the P2C program has grown too, as MSMEs now have their e-commerce app where customers can order anytime and anywhere.
In addition, the province has sustained its lead as the top producer of high-value crops in the country by prioritizing the modernization of farm practices through the implementation of mechanization programs to support Ilokano farmers’ livelihoods by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding irrigation systems to ensure year-round farming.
The tourism sector has also emerged as a driver for economic growth, with Ilocos Norte utilizing its rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and local festivals to attract both domestic and international visitors.
The province has also prioritized infrastructure development to support its rapidly growing economy, with upgrades to the Laoag International Airport currently underway, to enhance connectivity and accommodate more tourists and investors.
