Expensive lots turn off potential Ilocos Norte investors

BY LEILANIE G. ADRIANO
STAFF REPORTER

ASK SEVERAL prospective businessmen to come and invest in Ilocos Norte’s attractive market niche and they will cite that they have second thoughts due to expensive lots around the city.

This is because Ilocanos value their land so much — whether it is generating income or underutilized, that makes it so hard for them to let go because of its “emotional value,” said Felino “Jun” A. Palafox Jr., the principal architect and wellknown urban planner of the Palafox Associates and whom the Marcos administration personally tapped to stir change and development to propel Ilocos Norte’s to the next level of tourism and investment ventures.

The high price of lots in the province as compared to the prime lots in Metro Manila however makes investors hesitant to establish their businesses here.
In view of this, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte is set to meet with major land holders here who have idle or underutilized private lots to work things out and make their lots more profitable.

While doing so, Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said her administration is conducting an inventory of public lands around the province. She said if they could not agree with prime Ilocos Norte landholders, some available public lots could possibly be co-developed by the provincial government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and valued investors.

According to Marcos, there are still remaining open public lands, including foreshore and sand dune areas waiting to be developed by interested investors who would like to take advantage of Ilocos Norte’s investment potential.

In addition, the provincial government through its legislative branch declared several government-owned buildings in the province such as the Ilocano Heroes Hall techno center in Laoag City, Takuat Techno park in neighboring San Nicolas town and the Mariano Marcos State University techno park in Batac as under special economic zones, to assist and provide competitive benefits and incentives to would be investors.

At present, the Ilocos Norte government is promoting these three facilities as feasible locations for emerging markets and digital industries to generate more jobs and investments.

source: The Ilocos Times - November 22 - November 28, 2010 issue