VZCZCXRO7738
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #3341/01 2781046
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051046Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8517
INFO RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003341 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL CASC BTIO BEXP EAIR ECON RP
 
SUBJECT:  Ambassador's Visit Highlights U.S. Engagement in Northern 
Luzon 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY:  The Ambassador traveled to Ilocos Norte, a 
relatively remote area in the far north of the Philippines, to 
reaffirm U.S. commitment to the region through donation of computer 
 
equipment to governmental and educational institutions by USAID and 
DHS.  During the two-day trip, the Ambassador visited an important 
veteran's memorial, and met with regional civic leaders to highlight 
progress on enforcement of environmental regulations.  The 
Ambassador's events were well-covered by the Philippine media.  END 
SUMMARY. 
Ilocos Norte: The Region 
------------------------ 
¶2.  (U)  Ilocos Norte is a province marked by a tradition of 
achievement, emigration, and the Marcos legacy. A high value is 
placed on order and education, evidenced by the tidiness of public 
places and a concern for educational facilities.  Ilocanos have been 
migrating to Hawaii in large numbers for over 100 years, originally 
to work the pineapple harvest, and more recently to fill healthcare 
and service industry positions.  Influx of capital from returning 
residents and remittances of U.S.-earned income comprise a 
significant portion of regional revenue. The traditional economy is 
based on agriculture and fishing, and the recent introduction of 
casino gaming is attracting large numbers of Chinese and Korean 
tourists. 
¶3.  (SBU)  Of concern to the region is the extensive smuggling of 
both consumer goods and persons, which is facilitated by proximity 
to Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, and by the lack of adequate 
border controls.  The illicit products are mainly destined for the 
domestic market, although counterfeit currency and undocumented 
individuals could ultimately make their way to Taiwan and the U.S. 
The recent establishment of a Consulate of the People's Republic of 
China in Ilocos Norte's capital city of Laoag has served to 
consolidate the Chinese presence. 
¶4.  (SBU)  Governor Michael Marcos Keon is the nephew of former 
President Ferdinand Marcos, son of three-term governor Elizabeth 
Marcos, and cousin of former governor and now Congressman Ferdinand 
Marcos, Jr.  A collegiate athlete and avid sportsman, he served as 
director of the national sports program and a member of the 
Provincial Board of Ilocos Norte before assuming the governorship 
and reaffirming the dominant role of the Marcos family in regional 
politics.   The Mayor of Laoag City is of the rival Farinas clan, 
who together with ex-governor and congressman Roque Ablan constitute 
the main local opposition to the Marcos family. 
 Computers for Government and Education 
-------------------------------------- 
¶5.  (U)  The Ambassador dedicated $372,000 in computer equipment 
donated by USAID to the district offices of the Philippine Bureau of 
Internal Revenue in Laoag City as part of the Millennium Challenge 
Account Threshold Program. Local press and an enthusiastic crowd of 
Bureau of Internal Revenue employees and regional and national 
dignitaries attended the launch of equipment designed to increase 
the efficiency and transparency of the revenue collection process in 
the province. 
¶6.  (U)  Rural school districts were introduced to the digital age 
in a ceremony dedicating the first computers ever possessed by 
regional schools.  The Ambassador was joined by representatives of 
the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement division which donated the computers to elementary and 
secondary schools in northern townships of the province.  The 
principal of a hosting school delivered a powerful speech in which 
he asked the Ambassador to convey gratitude to President Bush for 
honoring his humble rural school district with the donation of 
computers which will enable area students to benefit from modern 
educational technology.  The more than 800 children in attendance 
carried home made American flags and banners proclaiming "God Bless 
America." 
 
Honoring WWII Veterans 
---------------------- 
¶7.  (U)  The Stingray Memorial on Caunayan Bay was the site of a 
moving ceremony honoring veterans.  This remote monument 
commemorates the clandestine landing of supplies and munitions by 
American submarines during World War II in support of Philippine 
insurgency operations.  The Ambassador highlighted the long history 
of the Philippine-American alliance and the foundation that it 
provides for peace and prosperity in the region.  Veterans of the 
landings attending the ceremony were warmly recognized.  Floral 
wreaths were launched into the sea in memory of American and 
Filipino veterans. 
 
Regional and Local Leaders - Connections and Issues 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
¶8.  (SBU)  The Ambassador met with provincial and municipal leaders, 
and with the Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag.  Topics discussed 
included environmental issues, development of non-gambling tourism, 
and concerns about smuggling activities and trafficking in persons 
initiating from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese mainland.  The 
Ambassador acknowledged efforts at the provincial and national level 
to contain illegal activities and encouraged renewed focus on 
enforcement deficiencies. 
 
MANILA 00003341  002 OF 002 
 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY:  The Ambassador traveled to Ilocos Norte, a 
relatively remote area in the far north of the Philippines, to 
reaffirm U.S. commitment to the region through donation of computer 
equipment to governmental and educational institutions by USAID and 
DHS.  During the two-day trip, the Ambassador visited an important 
veteran's memorial, and met with regional civic leaders to highlight 
progress on enforcement of environmental regulations.  The 
Ambassador's events were well-covered by the Philippine media.  END 
SUMMARY. 
Ilocos Norte: The Region 
------------------------ 
¶2.  (U)  Ilocos Norte is a province marked by a tradition of 
achievement, emigration, and the Marcos legacy. A high value is 
placed on order and education, evidenced by the tidiness of public 
places and a concern for educational facilities.  Ilocanos have been 
migrating to Hawaii in large numbers for over 100 years, originally 
to work the pineapple harvest, and more recently to fill healthcare 
and service industry positions.  Influx of capital from returning 
residents and remittances of U.S.-earned income comprise a 
significant portion of regional revenue. The traditional economy is 
based on agriculture and fishing, and the recent introduction of 
casino gaming is attracting large numbers of Chinese and Korean 
tourists. 
¶3.  (SBU)  Of concern to the region is the extensive smuggling of 
both consumer goods and persons, which is facilitated by proximity 
to Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, and by the lack of adequate 
border controls.  The illicit products are mainly destined for the 
domestic market, although counterfeit currency and undocumented 
individuals could ultimately make their way to Taiwan and the U.S. 
The recent establishment of a Consulate of the People's Republic of 
China in Ilocos Norte's capital city of Laoag has served to 
consolidate the Chinese presence. 
¶4.  (SBU)  Governor Michael Marcos Keon is the nephew of former 
President Ferdinand Marcos, son of three-term governor Elizabeth 
Marcos, and cousin of former governor and now Congressman Ferdinand 
Marcos, Jr.  A collegiate athlete and avid sportsman, he served as 
director of the national sports program and a member of the 
Provincial Board of Ilocos Norte before assuming the governorship 
and reaffirming the dominant role of the Marcos family in regional 
politics.   The Mayor of Laoag City is of the rival Farinas clan, 
who together with ex-governor and congressman Roque Ablan constitute 
the main local opposition to the Marcos family. 
 Computers for Government and Education 
-------------------------------------- 
¶5.  (U)  The Ambassador dedicated $372,000 in computer equipment 
donated by USAID to the district offices of the Philippine Bureau of 
Internal Revenue in Laoag City as part of the Millennium Challenge 
Account Threshold Program. Local press and an enthusiastic crowd of 
Bureau of Internal Revenue employees and regional and national 
dignitaries attended the launch of equipment designed to increase 
the efficiency and transparency of the revenue collection process in 
the province. 
¶6.  (U)  Rural school districts were introduced to the digital age 
in a ceremony dedicating the first computers ever possessed by 
regional schools.  The Ambassador was joined by representatives of 
the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement division which donated the computers to elementary and 
secondary schools in northern townships of the province.  The 
principal of a hosting school delivered a powerful speech in which 
he asked the Ambassador to convey gratitude to President Bush for 
honoring his humble rural school district with the donation of 
computers which will enable area students to benefit from modern 
educational technology.  The more than 800 children in attendance 
carried home made American flags and banners proclaiming "God Bless 
America." 
 
¶9.  (U)  The Ambassador praised local authorities for banning the 
practice of dynamite fishing and for aggressive enforcement of other 
environmental ordinances.  She acknowledged the Governor's 
commitment to sustainable development and Laoag City's winning of 
the Presidential Clean and Green Award for three consecutive years. 
The significance of these to the tourism industry was noted, as was 
the potential of the region as an ecotourism destination. 
National and Local Media 
------------------------ 
¶10.  (U)  The Ambassador was interviewed by local media 
representatives in the provincial capital of Laoag City.  A taped TV 
interview highlighted the contribution of computer equipment to the 
Bureau of Internal Revenue and featured the Ambassador's personal 
connection with citizens and civic leaders.  A live radio interview 
focused on the purpose and substance of the Ambassadorial visit and 
afforded opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the region 
in education and preservation of the natural environment.  Both 
interviews were broadcast on national networks. 
KENNEY