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From hundreds of entries nationwide, La Union-based “Abel” band from the town of Bangar grabbed Second Place in Cultural Center of the Philippine’s (CCP) first-ever Kanto Canta national online band competition with their song entry “Reseta.” Top 3 winners were announced through a virtual awarding program on June 30, 2021 where Abel garnered a score of 87.2%. Besting other bands from a pool of 15 national finalists, the band received P30,000 and a trophy as a prize.

With the Provincial Government of La Union’s (PGLU) mission to enable component LGUs and be its partner to bring transformative governance Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega continues to reach out with the different municipalities of the Province of La Union through his #StrongerTies Program.
Last week, Gov. Pacoy visits the Municipality of Pugo, La Union headed by Mayor Priscilla M. Martin, to discuss and provide solutions on prevailing issues in with their CoViD-19 response, environmental concerns, agricultural programs for the constituents and other initiatives and programs of the said municipality.
With the help of PGLU action plan, the Pugo Officials is committed to streamline their operations to a more efficient and effective delivery of public service to our Kaprobinsiaan.
Indeed, PGLU is one with you in building a #StrongerLaUnion. Gov. Pacoy continues to envision a Province where everyone is together and not apart from each other. Fostering partnerships with LGUs plays an important role in achieving a Province worth living in.

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.

As external champions of the Agri-Tourism Strategy of La Union, the Multi-Sectoral Governance Council, aligning with #KalikasanNaman, celebrated #ArborDay by planting more than 120 seedlings of Native Trees (Bani Tree, Narra Tree) along Baroro River Watershed on June 25, 2021.
During the activity, the MSGC were able to discuss the importance of planting native trees, and the importance of protecting La Union’s watersheds in championing environmental awareness, protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and management.
The activity was made possible by the collaboration of MSGC with the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), Local Government of Bacnotan, Municipal Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Bantay Dagat, and the Barangay officials of Brgy. Baroro.
Moving forward, the MSGC commits to continuously implement programs, projects, and activities that will establish a Stronger La Union, a Province worth living in.

As part of the cultural and historical site conservation and rehabilitation program, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO) – Culture and Arts Section together with the Municipal Government of Balaoan, and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) unveiled the Almeida Watchtower declaration marker on June 25, 2021 in Barangay Almeida, Balaoan, La Union.

The marker containing the NMP seal and the text declaration is placed on a cement pedestal just in front of the tower’s entrance.

The Almeida Watchtower in Balaoan is one of the five remaining La Union watchtowers along with the Moro Watchtower in the City of San Fernando City, the Baluarte Watchtower in Luna, and the watchtowers in the municipalities of Bacnotan and San Juan. It was collectively declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the NMP in 2014 by virtue of Museum Declaration No. 04-2014. These watchtowers were made of coral limestones and bricks built during the Spanish colonial period which served to protect communities from predators from the sea.

On behalf of NMP Director General Jeremy Barns, NMP Vigan Regional Office’s Supervising Administrative Officer Paolo Mar A. Chan extended his congratulatory message and expressed his support to the local government units (LGUs) of Balaoan and La Union for the protection and preservation of the watchtower. He said that as custodians of a promising future for the people, they will strive to continue working together with LGUs in protecting, conserving and promoting the culture and heritage. Mayor Aleli U. Concepcion, for her part, underscored the significance of the historical marker. She believes that with its perfect location overlooking the Darigayos Cove, the marker will help deepen the people’s appreciation and understanding of history. She also said that it will become one of the tourist attractions not only in the locality but also in the whole province once the tourism industry operation goes full swing.

Others present during the unveiling rites were LUPTO Officer-in-Charge Arthur S. Cortez, Jr., Barangay Almeida officials headed by Brgy. Captain Moises G. Torres, the landowners, Juliet David and former Registrar of Deeds, Atty. Pablito M. Valdez, together with his wife Marietta Almeida-Valdez.

The PGLU headed by Gov. Pacoy has a continuing mandate through the “Bantayán Ang Mga Bantáyan ” program to ensure protection and conservation of cultural and historical sites in the province.

Among the eight qualifying entries from the Province of La Union, the entry of Mr. Rodel G, Rillera, co-founder of Artist Guild of La Union (AGLaUn) was cited as Honorable Mention in the Non-Representational Category of the recently concluded 16th Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) National Art Competition held on June 25, 2021 via video conferencing.

Entitled “PhilWealth”, the painting portrays the pandemic and the plight of the Filipinos. It explains a connection between health and the economy. The same “health is wealth” aptly sums the abstract painting. The painting was chosen from over 1,200 entries nationwide.
Mr. Rillera received a certificate, medal and cash award of Php 25,000.

As curator and artist in the Provincial Government of La Union’s (PGLU’s) Dap-ayan La Union: Center for Culture and the Arts, Mr. Rillera already made a name for himself by painting artworks of nature as well as social responsibility but set in a highly conceptual context. He has staged various exhibitions in and outside the country. He has also reaped a number of recognitions that proved his flair as the Master of the Brush and Chisel. Among his other accolades came in 2018 and 2019 when he was awarded Third and Second Places in the same art competition, respectively.

Today, Mr. Rillera improves his craft even more, opening himself to emerging styles and innovations, and hoping to bring light to the world through the power of visual arts. He also continues to serve as a staff under the La Union Provincial Tourism Office – Culture and Arts Section.

Other qualifying La Union artists this year include Board Member Christian I. Rivera and his wife Remz Rivera, Jerome Barbadillo, Valen Valero, Ralph Gane, Doven Gardon, and current AGLaUn President John Parmisano.

The GSIS National Art Competition is one of the biggest and most awaited art contests in the country which is annually held as part of GSIS’ anniversary celebration to promote artistic excellence and make space for creative visual expressions.

The PGLU headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III ensures its continuous support to the programs and activities of local artists and other culture and arts groups in promoting culture, arts and tourism as levers for development in the Province of La Union.