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The Office of the Provincial Assessor headed by Engr. Arnulfo A. Cacho in collaboration with the Municipal Assessors League of La Union (MALLU) conducted a two-day online training on Enhanced Real Property Taxation System (ERPTS) and AutoCAD Mapping on November 11-12 participated in by 72 staff from the Office of the Municipal Assessors and the Office of the Provincial Assessor.

Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III applauded the assessors for their efforts to remain devoted in their commitment to provide quality services despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

“Despite the uncertainties and adversities brought by the pandemic, we remained steadfast in our commitment to provide high quality services that all our Kaprobinsiaan deserve. Hence this training is instrumental in keeping the Municipal Assessors abreast with the latest technologies to ensure, enhanced public service delivery,” he said.
On the first day of the training, Bureau of Local Governance Finance Region I Director Peter D. Baluyan congratulated the Assessors team for their hard work as the Province of La Union seats number one on collection efficiency in the entire Region I. “I would like to sight your target in 2019 which was Php224,063,950 and out of that, your actual collection was Php364,369,007 which translates to a collection efficiency of 154%, you did a very good job for being number 1 in the entire Region and possibly have a place in the entire country,” he said.

The Information Technology and Land Patent Unit discussed the basic history and conceptualization of the ERPTS and later followed by the hands-on operations and actual management techniques of the system.

On the second day, the trainees participated in an actual plotting and uploading of map using the AutoCAD application. Engr. Cacho made it more interesting by initiating a contest on the fastest participant to plot and upload a map using the AUtoCAD and eRPTS as Naguilian Municipal Assessor Myra Fe Riñon emerged victorious.

The training served as a refresher course and realignment for staff at the Municipal Assessor’s Offices in aid to merge gaps and break barriers as the OPAss and MALLU collaborates for Stronger La Union.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations chaired by SPM Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V spearheads the two-day budget hearing of the proposed CY 2021 Local Expenditure Program of the Provincial Government of La Union on November 11 and 12, 2020 at the SP Conference Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.

To ensure health and safety, the budget hearing was conducted face-to-face and virtually. Only limited number of participants were physically present and others joined the deliberations via Zoom.

27 PGLU Offices and five District Hospitals presented and defended their respective 2020 budgets. Before they recommended for its approval, the legislators thoroughly reviewed the offices’ and hospitals’ budget to ensure that the funds will be properly allocated and spent.

The budget proposal contained in the letter of the Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III was received by the SP on October 16, 2020, which is in compliance with the mandate of the Local Government Code of 1991. The proposed CY 2021 budget amounts to more than P1.8 billion, which is approximately 4.9% higher than this year’s budget. Getting the biggest chunk of the budget for 2021 are the following departments – Provincial Health Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Office of the Governor. This further reflects the focus on the updated transformative strategy on Response, Recovery, and Local Economic Development to achieve a secure, self-sufficient and sustainable province under the new normal. A big portion of the budget is likewise intended to address the effects of the CoVid-19 pandemic to various sectors and to achieve the vision of the province to position La Union as the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by the 2025.

The Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations will submit its Committee Report on the plenary after the proposed budget has been finalized. The SP is committed to approve the proposed CY 2021 budget before the year ends to ensure the continuous implementation of programs and projects that are geared towards building a Stronger La Union, a province worth living in.

The Office of the Provincial Governor – Environment and Natural Resources Unit (OPG-ENRU), in partnership with the Office for Provincial Strategy (OPS), met with partner offices on November 9, 2020 at the OPG-ENRU Conference Hall to share the environmental sustainability plans, programs, and projects for La Union and establish linkages with partner offices for the implementation of the said plans.

EnP Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, Supervising Environmental Management Specialist presented and discussed the plans and programs for forest and coastal resources management.

Ms. Diana E. Jutba, Environmental Management Specialist II, presented the solid waste management programs as well as the water quality management and monitoring of the Province. She further discussed the plans moving forward for solid and wastewater management in La Union.

Engr. Rommilyn V. Torio, Environmental Management Specialist II presented the monitoring results of quarry areas in La Union and further discussed the plans and programs for mines and geosciences services.

EnP. Shereal Catbagan also shared the scheduled activities for the formulation of the Provincial Local Climate Change Action Plan.

Present during the meeting were Provincial Administrator Agnes Grace Cargamento; Provincial Engineer Ressie Estrella and staff; Provincial Agriculturist Ramon Laudencia and staff; Provincial Health Office representative Engr. Candy Miguel; Provincial Planning and Development Office representative Mr. Darius Cargamento; Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office representative Mr. Edgar V. Gamer; Provincial Treasury Office representative Ms. Rina Joy Andrada; Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office representative Mr. David Ken Salamanca; and OPS representative Ms. Emmanuelle Dominique Mendoza.

Bringing its Agri-Tourism products, the Province of La Union participates in Region 1’s 19th Rimat ti Amianan Virtual Trade Expo 2020, which runs from November 9-18, 2020.

“Rimat ti Amianan” translated to “Treasures of the North” is initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which showcases the different products of micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) which includes products ranging from food, beauty, fashion, health and wellness and other genuine local products.

Among the participating exhibitors from La Union are DJOn Rustic Wood Furniture; Lomboy Farms; Bagulin Multi-purpose Cooperative; Bauang Crochet Association Inc.; Uncle Tom Food Product; Elyu Bayong and Beyond; D’Seno Creations; Red Clay Pagmadalian; Halog West Producers Cooperative; RP Lucina Loomweavers; Northway Arts and Crafts; Renzekiel Woodcraft; Kultur Siak Enterprise; Yogyog Handicrafts; ARC’s antiques and woodcrafts; and J&S Furniture.

Serving as the Guest of Honor and Speaker in the opening ceremony on November 9, 2020, USec. Blesila A. Lantayona, Regional Operations Group (ROG)-DTI expressed her gladness of Region 1’s initiative to conduct its virtual trade expo in this time of pandemic. “Regional 1 targeted sales amounting to 15million to be generated by 42 exhibitors. This is quite a challenge, but I appreciate it… This is the Ilokano Spirit,” she said.

Also present in the virtual opening ceremony were ASEC. Demphna Du-naga ROG, DTI; DTI Region 1 headed by Regional Director Grace Falgui-Baluyan; DTI Provincial Offices; Provincial Government Offices; MSMEs; and guests.

Regional Director Baluyan said, “This year’s exhibitors are fortunate for having a whole year to showcase their products in the bigger market,” as she committed the continued support of DTI-Region 1 to MSMEs in the region. “True to the name of our expo, you, our MSMEs are our real treasures that will help propel our nation’s economic growth,” she added.

The opening ceremony ended with a Live Buyer’s Demo and Walkthrough in the virtual expo. Anyone from around the world can visit and shop in the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Regional Trade Fair in this link: https://www.virtualtradeexpoph.com/expo/rimat-ti-amianan.

WORKFORCE FOR COVID-19. The Medical Technologists Team of Caba District Hospital earns nomination in the Gawad Bayaning Kalusugan given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with Association of Allied Health Organization of the Nation, Health Educationalists, Advocate and Leader Philippines, their co-presenters and support partners. The said award aims to honor the health workers’ hardships and the quality care they give- sacrificing their own lives for this pandemic and to search for the exemplary performances of healthcare workers. 43 Health Teams from 35 Medical Institutions in the country were nominated to the Gawad Bayaning Kalusugan. The judging and screening was conducted on November 6, 2020. While awarding of winners will be on December 12, 2020 during the annual Philippine Hospital Association convention.- MARLON C. RUNAS, RN GPC-CDH
Photo credits: Pattymae G. Ancheta and GAWAD Bayaning Kalusugan

Following their brave and untiring services, Caba District Hospital (CDH) Medical Technologists Team was nominated in the Gawad Bayaning Kalusugan organized by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with Association of Allied Health Organization of the Nation, Health Educationalists, Advocate and Leader Philippines and support partners.

43 Health Teams from 35-Medical Institutions in the country were nominated to the Gawad Bayaning Kalusugan. The judging was conducted on November 6, 2020.

The CDH Medical Technologists Team was nominated as they continuously provide direct care management of patients diagnosed with CoVid-19.

According to Dr. Gretchen F. Aromin, Hospital Chief, “To be nominated for a national award is already an honor. Let this be an inspiration to all units. We can conquer all challenges within and outside the hospital as long as there is unity and team work among us for the continuous improvement of health service.”

Gawad Bayaning Kalusugan aims to honor the health workers’ hardships and the quality care they give- sacrificing their own lives for this pandemic and to search for the exemplary performances of healthcare workers.

The awarding ceremony will be held on December 12, 2020 during the National Convention of the Philippine Hospital Association.

Novelty. Consistency. Compassion. One of the most active partners of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) and Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) Special Projects Committee Head Mr. Xavier Mercado of Halo Halo de Iloko was recognized as a recipient of the ASEAN Business Award (ABA) 2020 for Inclusive Business.

The recognition for Inclusive Business is given to businesses for their good practice of business model designed to make profit while solving problems of the poor and people with low income within Southeast Asia region.

Halo Halo de Iloko, a Gastronomic Adventure Hub in Region 1, is known for its innovative Ilokano menu and high-impact contributions to the community. The restaurant sources its raw materials and ingredients locally supporting La Union farmers and fisherfolks, Farm Barangays and from the Gulayan sa Bilangguan. They hire persons with disabilities and their employees are trained with basic sign language. They have accommodated almost 500 K12 Senior high school students to complete their on the job training, hired in catering events.

Aside from food, Halo Halo de Iloko also offers La Union products as pasalubong and crafts made by the deaf community. To help reduce waste in the province, they recycle used coconut husk by donating it to schools to be used as plant pots and as charcoal for cooking. Finally, as a way to cope with the pandemic, aside from donating food and drinks to frontliners, they initiated the project “Bunubon ti Biag,” an eco-friendly project with the aim to plant vegetable seeds in egg shells to be given away to customers for free.

Despite the numerous activities in Halo Halo de Iloko, Mr. Mercado still manages to serve the province as the MSGC Special Projects Committee Head. He spearheaded the Search and Awarding of Cleanest and Greenest Gasoline Station Restroom in the province. Other projects of the MSGC that he was a part of were Adopt-an-Agri-Tourism Site: Freedom Park and Bauang Bakawan Eco-Tourism Park and the creation of Tourist Police Assistance Center. He also actively takes part in PGLU’s transformative governance by participating in the third party audit of the Strategic Performance of PGLU offices.

“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hardwork leads to success. Greatness will come, to God be the Glory,” says Mr. Mercado.

As an advocate of the Agri-Tourism vision of La Union, he is also the former president of the Association of Active Tour Guides of La Union and founder of Association of Tourism Industries and Networks in La Union.

Mr. Mercado has been a multi-awarded businessman and chef and the ASEAN Business Award means that he brings the Province of La Union globally bringing customer satisfaction the Filipino way to international market.

Held annually since 2007, ASEAN Business Awards is a prestigious international-level event that gives opportunities for businesses to reaffirm their position among industry peers; advance their competitiveness and integration; and spread their brand throughout the ASEAN region and globally. This year’s awarding will be held on November 13, 2020 at Daewoo Hotel Hanoi, Vietnam.

The PGLU assures Mr. Mercado of its continuous support and partnership in all his endeavors in improving the quality of life of the people and in building a Stronger La Union, a province worth living in.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) conducted a Coastal Clean Up Drive in celebration of the La Union Cooperative Month 2020 along the coastline of Barangay Ilocanos Sur, City of San Fernando, La Union.

This year’s cooperative month theme focused on the contribution and involvement of cooperatives in combating climate change and environmental issues, one of the most severe challenges our planet is facing in the 21st century.

Joined by 60 participants, the activity was done in partnership with CKC-LU Credit Cooperative, SAFER Multi-Purpose Cooperative, DMMMSU LU Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Barangay Officials of Ilocanos Sur, City of San Fernando, La Union.

The group were able to collect 61 kilograms of residual waste, recyclable waste and plastic bottles which were handed to barangay officials for proper disposal.

A culminating program was conducted graced by Board Member Gerard Ostrea, Chairman of Committee on Cooperatives. In his message, he expressed his gratitude to cooperatives in the province and recognized their contributions in the recovery of the province from the pandemic. Also present was Mr. Bernie Membrere of the Department of Trade and Industry, PCDS-CDA La Union who closed the program.