Author: Jerome Marzan

Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III the Chair of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and La Union Anti-Drug Abuse Council (LUADAC) together with Department of the Interior and Local Governance (DILG) Provincial Director Virgilio P. Sison and members of the council convened for the 2nd Quarter Joint Meeting via video conferencing last June 28, 2021.
During the meeting, the La Union Provincial Police Office provided an update on the peace and order situation of the Province, which was reported to be manageable with the decrease of crime incidents for the 1st Semester of 2021. The 81st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army also reported their agency’s accomplishments.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also updated the council on their accomplishments and the on-going anti-drug campaign on the Implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program in the Province. Out of 490 drug-affected barangays, a total of 429 or 87.5% were already cleared; 61 or 12.5% remaining drug-affected barangays; and 75 unaffected barangays.
DILG PD Sison shared that the Barangay Payocpoc Sur, Bauang, La Union emerged as regional winner of the annual search for outstanding Lupon under the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives and Awards (LTIA) 2021 Program-1st to 3nd income class municipality category. A video presentation of their winning entry was presented during the conference.

To advance the principles of transformative governance, Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III was invited as a resource speaker at the ISA Practitioners’ Online Conference on June 26, 2021.
The conference serves as the culminating activity of the Young Leadership Program, a pilot-run online-based 20-module certificate course in public governance, launched by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). The program is participated by professional leaders from various government agencies and private sectors in the country with the aim to help participants enhance strategic thinking and implementation, hone leadership skills and instill values and ethics of good governance.
During the online conference, Gov. Pacoy imparted the Province’s journey towards transformation, including the challenges of shaking the comfort zones and eventually winning the hearts and minds of the people which led the Province to advance its public service delivery through the years. He stated, “While our eyes are set on the breakthrough results, we were also very particular with undergoing the necessary process. As they say, hold the vision, trust the process.”
In conclusion, Gov. Pacoy urged the participants to be leaders who strive and make a positive impact that cuts across all borders of the community. He said, “Our legacy shall not be measured by the heights we have reached nor the awards we have gathered. Let our legacy be seen in the success of our people and the lives we have impacted.”
The PGLU shall continue to strengthen collaboration and synergy with other professional leaders from the public and private sector in order to create a stronger force onwards building a #StrongerLaUnion.