LAOAG CITY, July 9 -- Barely two months since the Genuine Ilocano (GI) program was launched in Hawaii, global Ilocanos have been reaching out through a unified membership and engagement program while strengthening Ilocos Norte's position as a leading tourism and investment destination.

"The Genuine Ilocano program is basically our way of connecting Ilocanos across the Philippines and around the world. Ilocanos by birth, by heritage, and even those who simply embrace the Ilocano way of life all have a place in the GI community," said Aianree Raquel, head of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO), in an interview on Thursday.

He said the online platform unlocks access to opportunities in investment, business, travel and leisure, culture a...