Considering the number of Ilocanos that travel to Manila, which is the center of business and industry in the country, Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas has proposed the construction of an action center in the Philippine capital to assist and serve Laoagueños who may need assistance. The said action center would be like a consulate or an embassy and which would exclusively assist Ilocanos, particularly Laoag City residents who may encounter problems while they are in Manila. “Kakabsat tay met ida ket kasapulan ngarud a tulungan tay met ida tapnon maipadanun met dagiti problema da kadagiti kabagyan da ditoy Laoag aglalo adayu met la ngarud (They are our city mates and therefore we need to help them relay their problems to their relatives here in Laoag since Manila is quite far away),” Fariñas said. Aside from giving assistance, Fariñas said another purpose of the said action center would be for accommodation and housing of those who would attend city government-sanctioned trainings and seminars in Manila instead of checking in to hotels, which is costly. “Ket no maituloy kuma daytoy, dakkel iti mainut a kuarta iti siyudad maipanggep kadagiti mapalubusan a mapan agatendar iti seminar wenno trainings (If this proposal is granted, then it would translate to huge savings for the city government in terms of accommodation expenses of those who had been allowed to attend seminars and trainings alone),” Fariñas explained. The mayor also mentioned that the general public would also be allowed to stay in the proposed center provided that it is an emergency case and that they have no relatives in Manila. He went on to cite an example of a person that is applying for a job or processing documents in Manila wherein he has no other place to stay, he would be allowed to sleep in the said center. The said center is also envisioned to be open 24 hours a day and seven days a week and would be located in the heart of Manila. To further push his proposal, Fariñas said he would sit down with the members of the local finance committee to see if they can get funds for the project. The Ilocos Times learned that the terminal building of the Fariñas Trans terminal in Manila has served as a housing venue for city government employees who attend seminars or workshops. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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