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Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III signs the Documentary Feature Proponent Award Agreement together with the top five local cinematographers and filmmakers as official festival finalists of the INAIG: Dokyu-Kalikasan Fest on May 12, 2021 via video conferencing. Each team will receive a financial incentive of Php50,000.00 from the provincial government which will be used to produce 15 to 20-minute documentary features focused on actual stories embedded in the beauty and importance of La Union’s natural endowments, resources and landscapes.

Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III and Gov. Matthew Joseph “MJ” Marcos Manotoc both representing their provinces sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the La Union-Ilocos Norte concept of tourism co-operative marketing dubbed as I’M IN LUv: Tourism Marketing and Promotions Partnership. It will be a strategic program geared for expanding networks and creating local government collaboration towards projecting an image for both tourism havens as safe and worthy travel destinations in the New Normal. The MOU signing took place on May 12, 2021 via video conferencing.

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.

With the aim to bolster economic activities and attract investors amidst the pandemic, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) along with the Department of Trade and Industry – La Union (DTI-LU) is extending technical assistance to component Local Government Units (LGUs) to update their Local Investment and Incentives Code (LIIC).
As the La Union Investment and Incentives Board (LUIIB) secretariat, the Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit (LEEIPU) headed by Ms. Charito C. Dator assisted in the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to guide in updating their LIIC during their monthly meeting held on May 7, 2021 via video conferencing.
The TWG, headed by DTI-LU Provincial Director, Merlie D. Membrere, will also assist the LGUs in crafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations of their LIIC.
The TWG aspires to align the LIICs with the recently signed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, producing more competitive incentives and attracting investors to make the Province of La Union a preferred investment area.
The La Union Investment and Incentives Board Meeting was presided by Vice Chairperson Lina Flor G. Hizon. Also present were other board members: Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Jonathan Justo A. Orros; Engr. Cherish Rillera-Caasi representing Mayor Stefanie Ann Eriguel; Mr. Cesar Ocampo; Mr. Ronald Dy; and Dr. Catherine Bada representing Atty. Felix S. Racadio. Guests from the PGLU who served as resource persons in their field of expertise were Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dominique Jose S. Puzon; Atty. Marion Guerrero; and Acting Provincial Treasurer Janet Molina.