Author: Jerome Marzan

With the aim to assist local government units (LGUs) in improving their Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) ranking, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit (LEEIPU) participated in the CMCI orientation and data validation organized by the Department of Trade and Industry La Union led by Provincial Director, Merlie D. Membrere on May 11-12, 2021 at Hotel Ariana, Bauang, La Union and via video conferencing.
LEEIPU Head Ms. Charito C. Dator highlighted the importance of data of LGUs in the province in the attainment of competitive LGU and province. Research Director Mr. Kenneth Bayani of DMMMSU-MLUC, who served as the facilitator of the workshop, assisted LGUs to properly collect and review their data and to efficiently fill out the data capture sheet.
The Province of La Union ranked 13th place nationwide in the 2020 CMCI and has continued to retain its number 1 rank in Region 1. The City of San Fernando was one of the two best component cities in the region and ranked number 21 in the Overall Competitiveness Pillar nationwide. The city also ranked 18th nationwide in the Most Improved Category.
For the component LGUs, majority of the 1st and 2nd class municipalities in the province continue to be in the best category in the Overall Competitiveness. These municipalities, together with the City of San Fernando, play a big role in maintaining the first place rank of the Province in the region. On the other hand, 3rd to 6th class municipalities need to improve and level up in certain indicators in the four pillars namely Economic Dynamism, Governance, Resiliency and Infrastructure. Three LGUs were among the Best Performers in the Overall Competitiveness in the Region in this category.
The CMCI is an annual ranking of cities and municipalities in the Philippines in terms of competitiveness. This was developed by the National Competitiveness Council in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry through the Regional Competitiveness Committees.

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) grants Cultural Mapping financial assistance to the local government units (LGUs) of Bagulin and San Gabriel through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, Bagulin Mayor Virigilio C. Flor, and San Gabriel Mayor Herminigildo M. Velasco on May 12, 2021 via video conferencing. The two LGUs will now join the Municipality of Bauang and City of San Fernando who are currently conducting their cultural mapping projects.

SUSTAINING STRONG TIES WITH CITY PNP. In a courtesy visit to Gov. Pacoy on May 11, 2021, outgoing City of San Fernando Chief of Police (COP) PLTCOL Orly Z. Pagaduan expressed his gratitude in the collaborative effort of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) – City of San Fernando in sustaining peace and order during his term while incoming COP PMAJ Benjie Daireu Umalla have committed to provide trustworthy service to constituents.
Gov. Pacoy also thanked PLTCOL Pagaduan for his service in the City PNP amidst the CoViD-19 pandemic. Reassuring his full support, he congratulated PMAJ Umalla as he handed both officers their tokens of gratitude from the Province of La Union.
To ensure peace and order in the whole province, the PGLU continues its collaborative work with the City Government of San Fernando and all municipalities of La Union.