President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assured that the government would promote the tourism sector as the country recovers from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Marcos said this during the celebration of Tan-Ok Ni Ilocano: The Festival of Festivals in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

In his speech, the President said that boosting the country's local tourism remains his administration's top priority.

"I assure you that the government's commitment to strengthen the domestic tourism industry remains a top priority, and Ilocos Norte will play a very large part in that," he said.

Marcos said it was now time to "reclaim lost opportunities" after the pandemic sidelined the celebration of festivals and other crowd-drawing events.

"The darkest hours of the pandemic we pray are over," he said.

"Now, we are ready to reclaim the time and opportunities we have lost for the last few years as we now emerge stronger than ever," he added.

The President hoped the Tan-Ok Ni Ilocano festival would stimulate economic activity and support Ilocano families by driving tourism industries and sustaining local livelihoods.

He likewise urged the next generation of Ilocano artists "to be proud of your identity and integrate our rich customs and traditions into the art that you showcase."

"Let us share with our fellow Filipinos and the rest of the world the story of our roots in the upland indigenous communities, the vibrant communities of Ilocos, many of which have been crucial in molding us into what we are as a people today," Marcos said.