The Ilocandia Cultural Center (ICC) will open its doors to students this summer to nurture their talents in singing, dancing and playing musical instruments, Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos announced Tuesday.

Marcos said the provincial government is partnering with the creative sector to run the ICC as a venue for local artists to develop their skills. Following the Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival which concluded over the weekend, the center will serve its purpose to hone more Ilocano talents and showcase their artistry.

“We are just waiting for the release of the certificate of occupancy and we will open this summer to provide the best experience to our children,” she said in an interview.

The workshops will culminate in performances at the two-story, 1,022-seating capacity ICC.

Designed similar to the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Metro Manila, the construction of the multipurpose building was funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2015 but faced several delays. Its funding at the time was PHP327.26 million.

The First Family donated musical instruments when the ICC opened in September 2025.

Aside from hosting local talents, the ICC is also envisioned as a venue for cultural exchanges at the national and international levels. (PNA)