LAOAG CITY—Over 50 delegates from the Hawaii State Government and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) visited Ilocos Norte to shop for business ideas to benefit both Filipinos and Americans.
In a media interview upon the group’s arrival at the Laoag International Airport, Brandon Dela Cruz, FCCH president said he has heard so much about Ilocos Norte and it feels great that finally, they are now in Laoag.
From Hawaii, the group led by Hawaii governor David Ige stayed in Manila for two days as they met with the United States Ambassador prior to their visit in this northern gateway of Luzon.
As part of the annual goodwill and trade mission to the Philippines, Mr. Dela Cruz said they are here to help support and uplift Filipino business.
“We travel in the Philippines and try to find where we can strengthen ties between Hawaii and the Philippines. Perhaps, it can be done through export of goods from the Philippines to Hawaii and vice versa. Let’s find out where we can cooperate and share knowledge and collaborate on a variety of projects and opportunities here,” he shared.
“We would like to help Filipinos to become more business savvy and to have more business network,” said Dela Cruz citing Ilocos Norte’s weather is much like Hawaii. “There are great opportunities if we just try to work together,” Mr. Dela Cruz added as he shared his roots are from Pangasinan and Tarlac.
The FCCH is composed of about 200 active members representing various companies such as large to small and micro enterprises.
While in Ilocos Norte, Provincial and city officials here led by governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos gave them a warm welcome at the airport. They also met with other mayors and local officials in the province before they visited the heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.