Palace declares special non-working holidays in Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY – Malacañang has declared special non-working holidays in this city and the city of Batac this month to allow local residents to mark significant events.

Proclamation No. 574 declared June 19, 2024 a special non-working day in Laoag to allow locals to celebrate the city’s 59th Charter Day and Proclamation No. 578 for Batac’s 17th cityhood anniversary on June 24, 2024.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed both proclamations, by the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and copies were released to the media Wednesday.

Laoag Mayor Michael Keon said in an interview that for the whole month of June, the city has prepared a series of activities featuring the development projects including basic customer service skills training and local recruitment activity of the SM City Laoag which is expected to open before the end of the year.

Booths showcasing various food and non-food products of the 80 barangays of Laoag are featured in a three-day "One Barangay, One Product" event in front of the city hall starting Wednesday until Friday.

Amateur and budding designers from Ilocos Norte are also enjoined to participate in the Inabel fashion design competition set on June 17 at Aurora Park.

“The design piece should be a dress or gown with butterfly or tern sleeves. Fabrics to be used must be 60 percent Inabel and 40 percent of any fabric of your choice,” the guidelines of the competition published on the official Facebook page of the City Tourism Office of Laoag said.

The department is leading the competition as part of the 59th Charter Day celebration of Laoag.

For the first time, the city government will also launch the search for the Sunshine Queen to showcase the unique beauty, charisma, and grace of Laoag women.

Qualified to join are those aged 18 to 30 and at least 5’3” in height. The search is set for June 15 after a pride parade along Rizal Street.

Meanwhile, the city government of Batac has yet to announce the highlights of this year’s celebration.

Previously, it led a food fair and bazaar, showcasing the city’s products to boost the livelihood of farmers and local entrepreneurs. 

There was also an art and fashion exhibit last year at the Imelda Cultural Center in support of local artists who are flourishing in the city.

Batac City is known for its famous empanada, considered as its one-town, one-product (OTOP).

Locals and tourists alike enjoy this half-moon orange snack of crisp, thin rice flour wrapper stuffed with grated green papaya, mongo, longganisa, and egg.

It is deep-fried and dipped in spicy Ilocos vinegar. People come and go at the Batac riverside “Empanadaan" as several stalls also sell “miki” (noodle soup) and “tuno-tuno" (grilled meat). (PNA)