Marcos to Ilocano solons: Keep solidarity, strength of Solid North

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged lawmakers in Northern Luzon to strengthen the “Solid North” regional bloc and maintain the strong unity of its members for the country's benefit.

Marcos made the call during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected officials of the Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA) held in Malacañang.

The President recalled the difficult times the group was considered "politically irrelevant." He then guaranteed that the bloc could receive support from the Office of the President.

“Those times that we went through that the Ilocano bloc remained solid. And the result is that we are now here celebrating the taking the oath of new officers of the Northern Alliance here in the Palace,” Marcos said.

“And that has kept us afloat through all the lean years kung tawagin, through all the lean years. And as I said, now the solidarity and the strength of the Ilocano bloc has remained and it has served us well. So let us keep it going. And now instead only fighting up, may katulong na kayo dito sa taas,” he added.

Marcos mentioned the alliance’s solidarity that was evident even during the time of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos. He said the solidarity was observed even after "the Marcoses fell out of favor politically."

“Kaya’t let us take that as our lesson that really what has kept us going, what has kept us strong, and what has kept us relevant in national politics,” Marcos said.

Marcos further noted that Ilocanos are overrepresented in government and in politics.

“And there is maybe a point to that, but the reason that is – is because we help each other because we stay solid. And we – kinikilala natin these are Ilocanos that have been working with us that we know are good workers that will bring value to government service,” he said.

The Presidential Communications Office said the NLA is a group of lawmakers mostly belonging to the tobacco-producing provinces. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos III serves as NLA’s honorary chairman.

The alliances’ officers include Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, NLA President; Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., NLA Executive Vice President; Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Arthur F. Celeste, NLA Vice President – Region 1; Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio T. Albano, NLA Vice President – Region 2; CAR and Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, NLA Vice President.

Other officials are Party List and Allied Districts and ABONO Party List Rep. Robert Raymund M. Estrella, NLA Vice President; La Union 1st District Rep. Franciso Paolo P. Ortega V, NLA Secretary; Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, NLA Treasurer; and Isabela 4th District Rep. Joseph S. Tan, NLA Auditor. —NB, GMA Integrated News