SP Approves the Regulation of Quarrying Mineral Resources

The Provincial Government of La Union will now enforce the new ordinance on the regulation of extraction, disposition, utilization and processing of quarry and other mineral resources within the territorial jurisdiction and shall levy various taxes and fees in the Province of La Union. The ordinance was approved during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan held on January 5, 2021.

Board Member Abraham P. Rimando, the author of the ordinance said, “The province may levy and collect not more than 10% of fair market value in the locality per cubic meter of ordinary stones, sand, gravel, earth, and other quarry resources, as defined under the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, extracted from public lands or from the beds of seas, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and other public waters within its territorial jurisdiction,” as section 186 of the Local Government Code stated.

The permit to extract sand, gravel and other quarry resources shall be issued exclusively by the provincial governor.

Subsequently, taxes collected under this ordinance except Governor’s Permit and other fees but limited only to sand and gravel, earth, and other quarry resources shall be shared as provided by the Local Government Code, which is 30 percent of the proceeds will go to the province, 30% to the city or municipality, and 40% to the barangay.

“Basically, this reinforces the mandate that we impose through our Environmental Code that the provincial government recognizes the right of the people to a healthy environment. It shall be the duty and responsibility of each individual to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment,” Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega said.

According to OIC Provincial Treasurer Janet Molina, it will dramatically increase the collection of the province when this ordinance will be implemented. The said ordinance will take effect upon 15 days following the completion of its full posting and publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

La Union Honors Outstanding BNS, BHW

The Province of La Union’s Ten Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Barangay Health Workers (BHW) for the year 2020 were recognized by Provincial Government of La Union on December 17 and 21-22, 2020, through a mobile awarding ceremony.
In recognition of their invaluable contribution in the province’s community health and nutrition development initiatives amidst the pandemic, the awardees were conferred with certificates and cash prizes amounting to P10,000 each.
To adhere to the minimum public health standards, the PGLU through the Provincial Health Office facilitated the conferment through a mobile awarding ceremony.
The awardees in Bacnotan, Agoo, and Santo Tomas were honored in their respective municipal halls, while the rest were in their own barangays duly witnessed by their local chief executives. The simple awarding rites were attended by few participants who strictly observed physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and other health protocols.
In Bacnotan, Mayor Francisco Angelito L. Fontanilla led the recognition for their town’s outstanding BHW Sonia Lumancas and BNS Maribel Vega. In his message, he thanked the awardees in their passionate service to promote health and nutrition in their respective communities, which comes in crucial as the world faces an ongoing health crisis.
Completing the outstanding BHW are: Bella Rolluda (San Fernando City); Erlinda Cabanban (San Juan); Christine Agsaoay (San Gabriel); Joy Oliva (Santol); Tessie Nelmida (Luna); Carmencita Libao (Sudipen); Merlie Florendo (Naguilian); Valerie Estoesta (Agoo); and Erlinda Orille (Santo Tomas).
The outstanding BNS, meanwhile, are: Lorna Bautista (Balaoan); Aurelia Aguilar (Luna); Dominga Viernes (Bangar); Warlyn Ballesil (Bauang); Elizabeth Rabe (Aringay); Elsa Estacio (Tubao); Mary Grace Dungan (Agoo); Suzeta Dacalano (Santo Tomas); and Rubeliva Marquez (Rosario).
The recognition is held annually by the PGLU by virtue of Ordinance No. 155-2018 for the BNS, and Ordinance No. 172-2019 for the BHWs.
Through the leadership of Gov. Pacoy, the PGLU remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold health and nutrition in the communities, as integral to building a Stronger La Union, a province worth living in.

PGLU JOINS INAUGURATION OF PUGO SANITARY LANDFILL

On behalf of Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, EnP. Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, Supervising Environmental Management Specialist of the Office of the Provincial Governor – Environment and Natural Resources Unit (OPG-ENRU) represented the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) during the blessing and inauguration of LGU-Pugo Sanitary Landfill Facility located at Brgy. Maoasoas Norte, Pugo, La Union on December 21, 2020.

“The inauguration of this sanitary landfill is a testament that even in the midst of pandemic, the local government continues to uphold its commitment to preserve the integrity of the environment. Through this facility, we ensure sustainability of our efforts on solid waste management, which all the more should be a priority in environmental governance,” Gov. Pacoy said in his message.

The blessing and inauguration of the sanitary landfill facility was led by Mayor Priscilla M. Martin, Vice Mayor Jose B. Basallo, and all of the department heads, Sangguniang Bayan Members and barangay officials of Local Government Unit-Pugo. Provincial Engineer Ressie A. Estrella also attended the inauguration activity.

The sanitary landfill facility of LGU-Pugo has an area of three hectares equipped with garbage trucks and equipment such as shredders and materials recovery facility as well as solid waste management support facilities. The PGLU provided assistance in the establishment of the sanitary landfill support facilities. LGU-Pugo was granted with garbage truck and multi-purpose vehicle as their prize for winning the Search for the Cleanest, Safest, and Greenest CY 2018 of the PGLU.

La Union OTOP-Hub to Lift Economy

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit (LEEIPU) supports the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Hub Website Launching on December 18, 2020 at CSI The City Mall, exactly a year after the opening of the OTOP-Hub La Union physical store in Bacnotan, La Union.

OTOP Hub is a flagship access market to promote local products with the aim to establish a market access to cater OTOP-preneurs in the province. Department of Trade and Industry La Union Provincial Director Merlie D. Membrere said that this online platform is an effort to meet the needs of consumers and their competitive and innovative behavior. Initially, 20 MSMEs were featured in the website.

In her inspirational message, Regional Director Grace Falgui-Baluyan mentioned that, “The journey of investment in our online presence became a reality. We take note that even without pandemic, this should be happening, the pandemic helped us grow. This OTOP-Hub Website is self-sustaining to provide more assistance and interventions to our MSMEs.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III said in his video message, “As we move towards crisis recovery and transformation, jumpstarting local economy is symbolic of our reinvigorated hope for a promising future.”

Top Revenue-Generating Municipalities in La Union Recognized

The Provincial Government of La Union led by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III awarded Certificates of Recognition to Top Performing Municipalities for Revenue Generation on December 15, 2020. The awarding was done through video conferencing and the Certificates were given to the different Local Government Units by representatives from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office headed by Acting Provincial Treasurer Janet D. Molina on December 17-18, 2020.
The municipalities were awarded according to classes. Among the class first Municipalities, Bauang, ranked first for Real Property Tax with a 378.72% collection efficiency; Rosario ranked first for Tax on Business and Other Taxes with 120.48% collection efficiency and also ranked first for Receipts and Economic Enterprises with 124.92% Collection Efficiency; Bacnotan ranked first for Fees and Charges with 124.58% collection efficiency.
For the Municipalities classified as class two and three, San Juan ranked first for Real Property Tax with 115.25% Collection Efficiency; Bangar ranked first for Tax on Business and Other Taxes with 130.65% collection efficiency and also ranked first for Fees and Charges with 172.69% collection efficiency; and Aringay ranked first for Receipts and Economic Enterprises with 149.22% collection efficiency.
For class four and five Municipalities, Caba ranked first for Real Property Tax with 131.38% collection efficiency and also ranked first for Receipts from Economic Enterprises with 141.34% collection efficiency; Santo Tomas ranked first for Tax on Business and Other Taxes with 222.03% collection efficiency; and San Gabriel ranked first for Fees and Charges with 146.46% collection efficiency.

BM Orros, DTI Conduct Monitoring for Consumers’ Protection

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member (SPM) Jonathan Justo A. Orros together with the representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), conducted an inspection to the supermarkets of San Fernando City, La Union on December 17, 2020 to check the prices of basic commodities and observe the safety protocols including the monitoring of the implementation of CCTV ordinance as requirements by these business establishments.

The surprise inspection was to ensure that business establishments complies with the ordinance of the province especially on the mandatory wearing of face mask, face shield and the practice of social distancing including the compliance on the installation of CCTV as well as price monitoring for consumers’ protection and safety.

SPM Orros said that the surprise visit on these establishments will deter overpricing and will ensure safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of Corona Virus (CoViD-19).

He added that the initiative does not only aim to check the prices of the basic commodities but is also an appropriate time to re-activate the La Union Price Coordinating Council through a resolution in order to fast track the monitoring of prices in the locality for the benefit of the consuming public.

Consumers are enjoined to report to the DTI all retailers and suppliers selling overpriced goods by reporting them to the nearest DTI Provincial Office.

“Based on the result of the inspection so far, sumusunod naman ang mga business establishments natin especially sa SRP or the suggested retail price ng mga basic commodities natin including safety protocols which is very important para ligtas tayo sa CoViD-19,” SPM Orros explained.

Meanwhile, the DTI committed to ensure that establishments will follow the safety protocols under the Inter-Agency Task Force and will abide by the Suggested Retail Price of basic commodities.

La Union Returning OFWs Learn Financial Awareness

Provincial Public Employment Service Office Manager, Ms. Charito C. Dator and staff with the technical assistance of the Information Communications & Technology Unit representatives, spearheads the conduct of the two sessions of Financial Awareness Zoom Webinar for returning Overseas Filipino Workers on December 9 and 15, 2020 held at the 5/F LUPAC Bldg., City of San Fernando, La Union.

Entertainment as Platform of Impactful Messages in La Union, Secured 2 Aliw Awards

“Thank you very much, Aliw Awards Foundation…this will serve as an inspiration for us to make more quality shows that the people deserve and make art a platform for delivering a message – a message that is meaningful and relevant,” said Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III in his acceptance speech as he received two trophies for Aliw Awards 2020 on December 15, 2020 at Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.
Out of six nominations, La Union secured two awards in the event including Best Festival Practices and Performance for Mutia ti La Union 2020 and Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer for Gov. Pacoy. The Best Special Events Director was also awarded to Bernard Yabut Maybituin for Mutia ti La Union 2020.
Other nominations for La Union were Best Special Events Production for Mutia ti La Union 2020; and Best Special Events Production and Best Special Events Director also for Maybituin for The La Union Vibrant Women Incorporated (LUVWI) Charity Ball 2020 Abel Iloko Fashion Show and Creative Agricultural Costume Presentation.
Both Mutia ti La Union 2020 and LUVWI Charity Ball 2020 were part of the 170th La Union Founding Anniversary which promoted widely the Agri-Tourism vision of the province around La Union and outside the province.
With the prestige that comes with the Aliw Awards in the Philippine entertainment industry, this is an opportunity for La Union to have an even wider reach for its message bringing closer the attainment of the vision to position La Union as the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon in 2025.