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The Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) convenes on June 23, 2021 (Wednesday) via videoconferencing to discuss the status of solid waste management program in La Union, review the draft ordinance on the prohibition of single-use plastic in La Union, present the proposed special waste management system and updates on the waste-to-energy projects in La Union.

Chairperson of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board, Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III presided over the meeting. Members of the board were mayors of component city & municipalities, representatives of 1st and 2nd district of La Union, Chairman of Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Committee on Environment and Energy, Chairman of Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Committee on Health, Provincial Health Officer, Provincial General Services Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Budget Officer, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, DOST Provincial Director, DTI Provincial Director, La Union Police Provincial Office Provincial Director, DMMMSU President, CHED Regional Director, Chairman of the Board of La Union Vibrant Women, Inc, HMDC Manager, and President of Junkshop Association of City of San Fernando.

Highlights of the meeting were the accomplishments on the “SoLUsyon sa PoLUsyon” strategic initiative of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU).

A total of 15 sanitary landfill facilities or 75% of the total number of component LGUs already have their own sanitary landfill facilities.

The PGLU headed by Governor Pacoy expressed his continuous support to this project to ensure that all of the component LGUs will have their own sanitary landfill facilities by 2023 as signified in the approved 10-year provincial solid waste management plan.

Another environmental infrastructure project presented is the establishment of a wastewater treatment facility per agritourism circuit as directive of Gov. Pacoy during the State of the Provincial Address in 2018.

Moreover, several consultation meetings were already conducted in preparation for the said project. The draft ordinance of “Single-Use Plastic Ban” was also discussed and moved for approval of the PSWMB and endorsement to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan subject to further study on recycling of PET bottles.

Meanwhile, the proposed provincial special waste management system was also discussed as well as on the updates on the Waste-to Energy Project in La Union.

Our time and effort for our natural home is our gift to our future generations. With our #KalikasanNaman campaign, we continue to show our love and value to our Mother Earth, to our Province where every Kaprobinsiaan continues to thrive.

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) successfully administers the vaccination of 1,170 individuals who received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at the SLC Mega Vaccination Site.
PGLU began the roll-out of Pfizer for the A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (with comorbidities) priority groups on June 22, 2021, after receiving a total of three trays of the Pfizer vaccine from the Department of Health (DOH) last June 18, 2021.
There are three mega vaccination sites in the Province of La Union, one at the City of San Fernando, La Union, La Union Medical Center located at Agoo, La Union, and Bacnotan District Hospital. Each mega vaccination sites have catchment areas. One vaccination site was also established in each local government unit (LGUs) in the Province of La Union.
Meanwhile, two of the Province’s Mega Vaccination Sites – LUMC and Bacnotan District Hospital continue to roll out CoViD-19 Pfizer to the residents.
As of 4:14 PM today (June 25, 2021), 50,497 Kaprobinsiaan have received the first dose, while 15,860 of them have already completed two doses of their CoViD-19 vaccines.
The Provincial Government of La Union, through the leadership of Gov. Pacoy Ortega, continues to deliver efficient public health services. With the #BakunaMuna program, PGLU aims to build a stronger community for a #StrongerLaUnion.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognizes the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) for the PGLU’s valuable contribution in exerting efforts to help carry out the closure of open dumpsites in the Province of La Union.
Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega received the award on June 23, 2021, at the Provincial Governor’s Office. PGLU achieved 100% compliance with the provisions of Section 37 of Republic Act 9003 “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”. The certificate of recognition was given on June 22, 2021, at the Diego Silang Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union. PGLU will continue to foster partnership and campaigns of the DENR in addressing environmental issues and enforcing environmental laws.
The Provincial Government of La Union also intensifies the #KalikasanNaman campaign and other eco-friendly initiatives because every Kaprobinsiaan deserves a healthy Province worth living in.

La Union continues to thoroughly expand the province’s #BakunaMuna Program as it undertakes another milestone today, June 22, 2021 by launching the First La Union Mega Vaccination Site at the Father Burgos Gym, Saint Louis College, City of San Fernando, La Union.

For the first day of the operations of the La Union Mega Vaccination Center, over 400 individuals received their first dose of CoViD-19 vaccine jab. Around 1,000 vaccines can be administered a day in the site if supplies permit.

Ensuring the observance of the Minimum Health Standards, the site can cater to 150 individuals per hour with enough ventilation and social distancing. The mega vaccination site will play an integral role in Provincial Government of La Union’s key objectives in its CoViD-19 Immunization Program.

Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III expressed his gratitude to all partner agencies and frontliners for their support to the #BakunaMuna Program of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) and added, “Sa ating site, sinigurado ang efficient vaccination process sa pamamagitan ng establishment of vaccine stations, proper ventilation, emergency vehicles on standby, installment ng data management system, provision of relevant strategic communication materials, at appropriate facilities such as comfort rooms, water stations and parking areas.”

Gov. Pacoy also highlighted the PGLU’s plan to open two more Mega Vaccination Sites located in the La Union Medical Center and Bacnotan District Hospital to strategically cater to adjacent local government units. He expressed that the three sites aim to consume the three trays of Pfizer vaccines, with about 1170 shots each in hopes to receive more allocations given that the province is equipped with ultra-low temperature freezers.

As of press time, the mega vaccination site will cater to priority groups A1 to A3 and will add to the existing 21 vaccination sites in the La Union. Each local government unit has one vaccination site, while the City of San Fernando, La Union, has two vaccination sites.

As of June 21, 2021, 6PM, a total of 46,870 individuals have already been vaccinated with first dose while 15,734 individuals for second dose. The province has already attained 70.23% complete doses for priority group A1, 28.80% for priority group A2, and 0.79% for A3. As of June 21, 2021, 8PM, there are 588 active CoViD-19 cases in the province.

The PGLU continues to innovate and partner with stakeholders in order to achieve herd immunity the fastest possible time. With the opening of the new vaccination site, the province is optimistic that the vaccination of kaprobinsiaan will be fast tracked and the rest of the La Union population will be protected from the virus.

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO-La Union) in partnership with the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC) conducted an orientation to the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) Workers on June 21, 2021 at DMMMSU-MLUC Covered Court, City of San Fernando, La Union with 47 SPES workers attendees.

With the Provincial Government of La Union’s goal of rolling out CoViD-19 Vaccines to priority groups faster, PGLU’s CoViD-19 Vaccination Task Force conducts ocular inspection at the identified mega vaccination site located in Father Burgos Gym, Saint Louis College, City of San Fernando, La Union yesterday, June 18, 2021.
The said hub offers adequate space to cater 150 residents from different local government units per hour. In addition to that, measures for indoor settings such as proper ventilation were enough to ensure the safety of the residents waiting inside the said facility to get their CoViD-19 vaccine jab.
Strengthening efforts and providing strategic solutions to public health system is one of the PGLU’s commitment in order to protect the residents against CoViD-19. PGLU is committed to vaccinate every Kaprobinsiaan, so that together we can achieve the recovery of our economy. #BakunaMuna

In adherence to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the Provincial Government of La Union, through the Environment and Natural Resources Office partnered with the Land Transportation Office Regional Office I (LTO-I), Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office I (EMB-I), Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the Local Government Unit of San Juan, La Union in conducting a roadside Vehicle Emission Testing on June 18, 2021 at Brgy. Ili Sur, San Juan, La Union.
The emission test was initiated by the EMB-I using their gas analyzer for gas-fueled vehicles and opacimeter for diesel-fueled vehicles. A total of 66 vehicles were inspected and tested. Three (3) gas-fueled vehicles and six (6) diesel-fueled vehicles failed the emission test. The drivers were apprehended by LTO and were advised to check-up vehicles that failed the test.
The activity aims to ensure that vehicles in La Union are strictly complying with the health and safety guidelines of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, including the roadworthiness standard. Smoke belching is not only harmful to the environment, but it also poses health problems since breathing polluted air would lead to numerous illnesses.
As stated in Section 1 (Roadside Inspection) of Rule XXXV (Roadside Inspection of Motor Vehicles) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 8749 also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, vehicles found emitting excessive smoke while operating in any public highway shall be subjected to an emission test by properly equipped enforcement teams from LTO or its duly deputized agents. Violators will be subject to fines/penalties.