Strategic Location

Strategically located in East Asia given its geographic proximity to some of the dynamic economies of Asia such as Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Southern China. Its coastline runs along the international sea lanes of the South China Sea   Less than an hour flight time to and from Hongkong, Taiwan and South China   Easy access through the Laoag International Airport (and DMIA)

Land Area

A sprawling 12,840.19 square kilometers of land, the region is 4.28 percent of the country’s land area.

Region’s Jurisdiction

Within the Region’s jurisdiction are the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte and the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta, Alaminos, San Fernando, Candon, Vigan and Laoag.

Climatic Condition

 Relatively dry season from November to April and an abundant rainfall during the wet season from May to October

The temperature occurs coolers during the months of December up to February. The hottest months are April and May.

 People

Hospitable, peace-loving, industrious

 Languages/Dialects

English, Tagalog, Ilocano and Pangasinenese

 Economy

Good potential for export-oriented agri-industrial development and tourism activities. The major industries in the region are agriculture, mining, fishing, tourism, and small cottage industries.

A leading producer of tobacco and mango for export and also among the leading producers of peanut, mongo, garlic, eggplant, onion, and tomato.

 Leisure

Surfing, swimming, adventure, sports, trekking, spelunking

Culture/cuisine

Spanish churches and houses, museums, historical landmarks

Pinakbet, Ilokano sausage (longganisa), bagnet, kornik

Eco-tourism 

Hundred Islands, Pagudpud-Bangui Beaches, La Union Botanical & Zoological Garden

 Infrastructure and Utilities

Planned Agro-industrial Estates for Investments

• The Laoag Economic Zone
• Poro Point Free Port and Special Economic Zone
• Mabini Industrial Estate
• Bacnotan Agri-Industrial Estate
• Salomague Free Port and Special Economic Zone

Airports

• International Flights: Laoag International Airport
• Domestic Flights: San Fernando Airport, Vigan Airport and Lingayen Airport

Seaports

• Currimao Seaport (Ilocos Norte)
• Salomague Seaport (Ilocos Sur)
• San Fernando Seaport (La Union)
• Sual Seaport (Pangasinan)

Power Plants

• Bauang Power Plant
• Sual Coal-fired Power Plant
• San Roque Multi-Purpose Project (Power Component)
• Wind Power in Bangui, Ilocos  Norte

 Information and Communication Technology

• Presence of voice and data (fiber optics) service providers
• Presence of DSL Broadband Internet Connectivity
• Presence of Wi-Fi Internet Connectivity
• Presence of numerous internet cafes
• Presence of mobile phone service centers and providers

Land Transportation

• Manila to Laoag, Vigan, San Fernando route and vice versa – Provincial Bus Carriers ( PARTAS, Fariñas, Dominion, Autobus, Martinez Trans, and Viron)
• Manila to Dagupan – Provincial Bus Carriers (Victory Liner, Dagupan Bus Lines)