I, along with a colleague, recently sat down for coffee with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and the experience was one of a kind. Considering she is known for launching the Kabataang Barangay three decades ago (known today as the Sangguniang Kabataan) as a means of shaping the lives of youth leaders, my initial impression of her was the polar opposite from meeting her in person.

I was impressed with the way she talked about governance, leadership, and her dreams for the country.

Marcos can be a good executive and legislator; her father’s brilliance and her mother’s public relations skills combined to make the governor. She also made mention of her wish for every Filipino family to have a house of their own and plans on revisiting the housing law that made access to housing possible for every Filipino.

The former Ilocos Norte second district representative also expressed optimism, saying, if given a mandate, she would try to find a solution to the ongoing traffic problems plaguing the nation. She also wants to resolve transportation issues.

Marcos named peace and order as another major concern, particularly crimes involving “riding-in-tandem.” The governor pointed out, in her province, she brought motorcycle rider associations together for a summit to discuss criminality associated with motorcycles, where they talked about how operators are using their vehicles for crime.

She also wants to strengthen the agriculture sector, which includes the sugar industry.

Marcos talked about government providing financial support to farmers and funding farm-to-market roads, along with equipment and other mechanisms, in an effort to make farming more competitive and to produce more goods for both domestic consumption and international exports.

The governor made her province what it is today. She worked hard to improve the lives of Ilocanos as an executive and crafted legislation of national significance as a congresswoman.

“The more Filipinos can benefit the better,” she added./WDJ