Manila, May 30 -- More jobs have become available to Ilocos Norte residents as property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. officially opened its first shopping mall in the province on Friday.

With around 4,000 local jobs available across various sectors, including retail, operations, and support services, outgoing Mayor Michael Keon said the opening of SM City Laoag signals the beginning of a new and promising chapter in the city's development.

"This landmark establishment brings with us thousands of job opportunities for our kailians (constituents), boosts our local economy, energizes our tourism sector, supports homegrown businesses, and strengthens Laoag's emerging role as a commercial and lifestyle destination in Northern Luzon," Keon...