On February 23-24, 2026, The UP AIT conducted an academic and extension visit to Ilocos Norte, meeting with key stakeholders from local and provincial government and state university to explore collaborative partnerships aimed at advancing tourism development in the region.

Partnership with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)

A key component of the visit was a meeting with MMSU in Batac City, one of Northern Philippines’ most distinguished institutions of higher learning. The AIT delegation was met with the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, Director of Internationization, Linkages and Partnerships Prof. Jeanette Dials, Dean of the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) Prof. Emil James Tanagon, directors, department chair and faculty from the Tourism and Hospitality Management of CBEA.

Building on exploratory discussions initiated in 2025, both institutions agreed to advance the formalization of their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The proposed collaboration covers several strategic areas, including joint research programs on world heritage sites, co-hosting of the 2026 Philippine Research Conference on Tourism and Hospitality, curriculum development, and the conduct of training workshops that MMSU faculty can participate in as both academic and industry partners. The proposed Agritourism Trail in Batac City, developed in partnership with the City of Batac, was identified as a key initiative where both institutions can meaningfully engage.

UP AIT likewise committed to support MMSU in developing its own tourism observatory under the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) – a continuous effort, undertaken together with local government units (LGUs) and national agencies, to monitor and protect tourism in identified locations in Ilocos Norte. 

Engagement with the City of Batac and Provincial Tourism Office

On February 23, 2026, UP AIT also paid courtesy visits with both the Batac City local government and the Ilocos Norte Provincial Tourism Office in Laoag to explore how the Institute can extend its activities to support tourism development at the local and provincial levels. In Batac City, UP AIT met with Councilors Dra. Mara Chua Medina and Atty. John Gabrielle Daguio,  and City Tourism Officer Angelica Yumul. The following day, UP AIT met with Provincial Tourism Officer Aian Raquel, where developing localized capacity-building and training programs that respond to the needs of Ilocos Norte’s tourism sector was discussed. Both engagements were welcomed as a renewed commitment to public service and regional partnership. 

Honoring Ilocos Norte’s Textile Heritage

Another highlight was the visit to the Pinili Inabel Center, home of GAMABA Awardee Magdalena Gamayo, a national living treasure celebrated for her mastery of the traditional Ilocos weaving or inabel. The visit served as a tribute to the rich textile heritage of Ilocos Norte and opened discussions on how UP AIT can help explore and position the province as a textile heritage destination in partnership with Indigenous communities and LGUs.