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With the aim to promote local culture and traditions, tourism and employment and environmental conservation, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) forged partnership with SMART Communications, Inc. for the Provincial Online Weekend Market dubbed as “Saluad La Union para Serbisio, Agri-turismo, Lako ken Oportunidad” (SaLU-SALO) through signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 27, 2021 via video conferencing.

Upon instruction of Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) deployed 11 Water Search and Rescue-trained personnel equipped with jetski, rescue tubes, rescue buoy, life ring and ropes to assist in the retrieval operations in Aringay, La Union today, July 27, 2021.
The PDRRMO has been in close coordination with the Municipal DRRMO of Aringay, Philippine Coast Guard, Aringay Bantay Dagat, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection since Sunday, July 25 when a 17 year-old resident of Brgy. San Juan East, Aringay, La Union was reported to have drowned while trying to go fishing along the Aringay River within their barangay.
Given the better weather condition and calmer water activity today, his body was found around 11AM at Sitio Dirana, Brgy. Poblacion, Aringay, La Union. The victim’s remains were turned over to his family.
The Provincial Government of La Union is ready to aide its component local government units in their disaster operations. It also continues to remind all kaprobinsiaan to refrain from swimming and fishing on bad weather. In case of emergency, call La Union Rescue 911.

The Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit (LEEIPU) facilitated the meeting of the La Union Investment and Incentives Board (LUIIB) Technical Working Group (TWG) via video conferencing on July 27, 2021.

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) continues to advance its strategic performance after the conduct of its 2021 2nd Quarter Strategy Review through video conference on July 26, 2021.
Present in the event were Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) led by executive director Mr. Christian P. Zaens, the La Union Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) headed by Chairman Brennus H. Paragas, as well as all the 30 department and unit heads, and Chief of Hospitals.
The department and unit heads presented their respective office accomplishments and status of the Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) or strategic commitments. Almost all offices are on track with their set targets with minimal to no delays with their strategic commitments.
Meanwhile, the status of the Province’s Agri- Tourism scorecard shows that 39% indicators were on target, 44% on track, and 17% are expected to have movements by the third quarter or end of the year.
The accomplishments on strategic communications were also presented. Among the highlights are the sustained Stronger La Union News for broadcast media, launching of the #OneKaprobinsiaan News and #AgreeSaAgri campaign for social media.
Apart from these, MSGC Chairman Paragas also presented the accomplishments of the MSGC to include the conduct of regular meetings, attendance to PGLU activities, the commemoration of the Freedom Park, and the Arbor Day Tree planting activity.
Lastly, the governance outreach activities of the Governor were also presented. In his speech, ISA Executive Director Zaens gave his praises to the Provincial Government for its strong performance and for putting premium on performance management. At the same time, he took notice of the significant improvements and achievements as presented by the different offices.
On the other hand, Gov. Pacoy Ortega extended his appreciation to the ISA and emphasized that improvement and advancement never stops. “We must keep on finding ways to produce the best possible output using the limited time we are given. We work hard and regroup. We assess how we performed and do the necessary recalibrations to move forward. We do these things repeatedly until we reach the future that we aspire for,” he said.
Moving forward, the Provincial Government sets its eyes to the PGS Institutionalization Stage and looks to elevate its performance in order to attain its set targets and make positive impact among its people. All these are done as it inche closer to achieving its vision of becoming “The Heart of Agri – Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025”.

Upon the directive of Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), delivered a total of 2,290 food packs to the Municipalities of Bacnotan, San Gabriel, and Luna on July 25 and 26, 2021 to augment their relief operations to affected families of the Southwest Monsoon Rains.

“Dahil sa situation natin na mayroon nang Delta Variant, we have to prepare for worst case scenario. Our basic objective here is to strengthen our capacity in handling CoViD based on the PDITR Strategy…we really need to prepare the best way we can,” emphasized Gov. Emmanuel Francisco “Pacoy” R. Ortega III as he convened the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) Provincial Core Team Against CoViD-19 (PCTAC) on July 21, 2021 to step up its efforts and preparations to avoid the possible emergence of the Delta coronavirus variant in the province.

PCTAC provides proactive solutions by working with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITMC) to develop the initial CoViD-19 Delta Variant Action Plan. Moreover, the task force has identified key areas to concentrate on such as the assessment of equipment and manpower resources of hospitals across the province. Hospital beds and supplies are being prepared according to the contingency plan.

Gov. Pacoy also directed for the further improvement of contact tracing and the expansion of isolation facilities in partnership with component Local Government Units. At present, the La Union treatment facilities has 714 beds and there is still a need for at least 414 CoViD-19 beds and 38 ICU beds. Partnership with private sectors were also called upon. He also directed for the procurement of necessary supplies including additional oxygen tanks to meet the minimum requirement of 2,212 units.

Among the action plans presented were the establishment of Temporary Isolation Areas in borders; monitoring of minimum health standards ordinance and its compliance; further expansion of vaccination program; close monitoring of barangay lockdowns; and the increase of efficiency of contact tracers and CoViD-19 testing.

Other notable developments reported in the meeting were the receiving of 27,600 doses of Jannsen Vaccines in the province which only requires one dose for complete vaccination; the rollout of A4 Vaccination in High Risk Areas; the PGLU’s conduct of vaccination to outbound OFWs to address their needs for specific vaccines; and the possibility of a drive through vaccination is also being explored.

As of date, the Province of La Union remains to be CoViD-19 Variants-free; however, a sense of urgency is what Gov. Pacoy continues to emphasize during these crucial times. He emphasized the need to continue strengthening the provincial and local capacity and directed the committees to meet often to track accomplishments.

While vaccines remain the best line of defense, the Delta variant has been shown to have more impact on respiratory illness, causing more hospitalizations and death.

The PGLU urges every Kaprobinsiaan to remain vigilant and cautious at all times. The public is also advised to avoid super spreader events as we continue to ramp up our efforts to avoid the CoViD-19 virus.

Patuloy na nagsasagawa ng Demand Strategy Training of the Trainers ang Advocacy Demand Generation and Social Group Mobilization (ADGSM) group, CoViD-19 Vaccination Program Task Force (CVP-TF) ng Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), upang sanayin ang mga Demand Generation Officer’s sa paggamit ng communication tools, upang mahikayat ang mga Kaprobinsiaan na magpabakuna kontra sa CoViD-19.
Muling tumungo ang ADGSM sa bayan ng Rosario, La Union, noong ika-21 ng Hulyo, 2021, upang matugunan ang ibang mga isyu ng mga Kaprobinsiaan tungkol sa pagbabakuna. Dinaluhan ito ng mga demand generations officers mula sa bayan ng Pugo, Rosario at Tubao. Ang mga demand generation officers ng bawat bayan ang siyang magsisilbing key partners ng PGLU sa paghahatid ng tamang impormasyon tungkol sa mga bakuna laban sa CoViD-19.
Gayundin, hinikayat ang mga demand generation officers na magsagawa ng mga epektibong kampanya sa pagbabakuna. Ang pagkakaroon ng kanilang sariling inisyatiba ay malaking susi upang mahikayat ang mga priority groups na mabukanahan laban sa CoViD-19.
Patuloy na nakikipagtulungan ang PGLU sa mga component LGUs para sa mas pinaigting na CoViD-19 Vaccine Operations ng probinsya. Naniniwala ang PGLU na kapag #BakunaMuna, makakamit natin ang herd community sa probinsya at mas mabibigyang proteksyon natin ang bawat Kaprobinsiaan laban sa CoViD-19.