LU Agri-Tourism Events Earn Six Aliw Awards 2020 Nominations

Events featuring the Agri-Tourism pride of the Province of La Union made it to six Aliw Awards 2020 Nominations.

The Mutia Ti La Union 2020 was nominated for Best Special Events Production; Best Festival Practices and Performance; and Best Special Events Director for Bernard Yabut Maybituin. The La Union Vibrant Women Incorporated (LUVWI) Charity Ball 2020 Abel Iloko Fashion Show and Creative Agricultural Costume Presentation was nominated for Best Special Events Production; and Best Special Events Director also for Maybituin. Finally, the Provincial Government of La Union headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III was nominated for Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer.

The LUVWI Charity Ball 2020 Abel Iloko Fashion Show and Creative Agricultural Costume Presentation was held in Agora Events Place, Thunderbird Resorts, San Fernando City, La Union on February 23, 2020. It was organized by the LUVWI headed by Chairperson Vini Nola A. Ortega. It was a charity event where proceeds will be used for the establishment of Sanctuary of Hope for women and children who experienced violence and oppression.

Mutia Ti La Union 2020 highlighting La Union Agri-Tourism of each of the 20 City and Municipalities of La Union was held in Poro Point Baywalk, San Fernando City La Union on March 2, 2020 as the culminating event of the Province’s 170th Founding Anniversary.

“The LUVWI Charity Ball 2020 stood out because of the unique fusion of culture and high fashion while the Mutia ti La Union 2020’s impact was on the advocacies behind each candidates’ activities with their City or Municipality. All these were done while showcasing the Agri-Tourism in the province in the celebration of the 170th La Union Founding Anniversary,” said Director Maybituin.

Nominations were done through the recommendations of its board of the directors and members of the press who watched the performances and events held from October 31, 2019 to October 31, 2020. There are over fifty categories of awards that gill be given. The awarding will be held at Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel on December 8, 2020.

Founded in 1976, Aliw Awards aim to recognize achievements in the country’s live entertainment industry and has been giving trophies and prestige to the most outstanding contributors to the Philippine entertainment industry.

LA UNION PIMT LAUDED BY COVID-19 NAT’L TASK FORCE

The National Task Force (NTF) Against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led by Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. lauded the Provincial Government of La Union’s Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT), which directs the province’s operations in managing the effects of the pandemic.
Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III led the walk-through of NTF Chief Galvez and other officials at the PIMT headquarters on October 22, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol Building, City of San Fernando.
Joining Galvez were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Jonathan Malaya, DILG Regional Dir. James Fadrilan, San Fernando City Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega, and Baguio City Councilor Francisco Roberto Ortega VI.
In their visit, the NTF chief praised the PGLU-PIMT, as he noted that the headquarters are equipped with top-of-the-line equipment and devices to power their round-the-clock operations.
The PIMT station houses a call center that receives over 300 calls per day, with queries ranging from border entry requirements to requests for assistance from Locally-Stranded Individuals and assistance for COVID-19 testing.
It also utilizes a web-based system that allows the real-time updating of COVID-19 data in the province.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Aurellano Rulloda and PDRMMO OIC-Assistant Department Head Alvin Cruz further explained the procedures being observed by the PIMT to ensure efficient and effective delivery of public service.
With the NTF’s commendation for the PIMT, the PGLU is truly committed in upholding public service excellence as integral in building a Stronger La Union, a province worth living in.

CODE TEAM VISITS LA UNION, EMPHASIZES PDITR STRATEGY COUNTER CoViD-19

The Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team composed of the National Government’s key representatives visits the Province of La Union to share the best practices in implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) Phase II against the CoViD-19 pandemic as well as discuss other plans moving forward.

PGLU Hosts National Launch of DOH’s Measles-Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) hosted the national launch of the Department of Health’s program to conduct massive immunization among children to protect them against infectious diseases such as measles, rubella and polio, on October 22, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol Building, City of San Fernando, La Union.

The DOH Measles-Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OPV SIA) targets a total of 6,919,015 children aged 59 months and below in the entire country.

A total of 504,897 kids in Region 1 and 61,000 in La Union shall undergo the immunization on October 26 – November 25, 2020.

The launching was graced by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III and DOH officials led by Usec. Gerardo V. Bayugo, Asec. Charade Grande, Asec. Maria Francia M. Laxamana. It was also witnessed by members of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and the Coordinated Operations To Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team headed by Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Sec. Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon, Dir. Princess Pebbles Duque; and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

With the theme “Chikiting Ligtas, sa Dagdag Bakuna, Kontra Rubella Polio at Tigdas,” the MR OPV SIA aims to prevent additional burden in the health care system, as the country’s health facilities continue to tackle the challenges brought by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Children aged 0-59 months will undergo polio vaccine through drops; while those aged 6-59 months will receive additional measles rubella vaccine through injection.

Trained healthcare workers from the various rural health units (RHU) in the province shall administer the vaccine. The DOH and the Provincial Health Office will oversee the vaccination campaign.

To adhere to the minimum public health standards, the activity will be held in identified facility or fixed post in communities. With face shields, masks and sanitizers, the RHU workers shall practice a no-touch procedure and observe physical distancing to reduce risk exposure of the children.

In his message, Gov. Pacoy expressed his support to the MR OPV SIA. “We are intensifying our health promotion, enhancing disease surveillance and prevention, strengthening our health care provider network, and establishing specialized disease and rehabilitative health care. We do all this to establish a Secure La Union, a Province with empowered communities that could stand firm against any crisis,” he said.

EMPOWERED WOMEN FOR CRISIS RECOVERY AND TRANSFORMATION

EMPOWERED WOMEN FOR CRISIS RECOVERY AND TRANSFORMATION. The La Union Vibrant Women Inc., led by the its chairperson Vini Nola A. Ortega, donated a total amount of P2,891,200 to the Provincial Government of La Union, on October 12, 2020.

Data Utilization to Boost LU Employability

Public Employment Service Unit (PESU) Staff assist job applicants in answering the Online La Union Employment Service Questionnaire at Public Employment Service Unit Office. Data gathered from said survey will be used to design future employment assistance programs.

La Union Lays out Tourism Activities Amid Pandemic

The La Union Provincial Tourism Office headed by Mr. Adamor Dagang presented the plans for the anticipated tourism bubble between Provinces in Region 1 and the City of Baguio dubbed as “The Ridge and Reef” travel corridor during the session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on September 29, 2020.
Mr. Dagang said the province is ready for the gradual opening of tourism set in two phases that include Phase 1 as Intra-Corridor Travel aimed to be completed in two months; and Phase 2 for the expanded travel corridor projected months after the launch.
Specific areas covered in the province allowed to travel for leisure in La Union are San Juan, Bauang and San Gabriel. The types of tours organized include five-day tours featuring mini-circuits within provinces; pre-arranged “staycations” or “workstations” (work at hotels/resorts) with stays longer than five days; and weddings or small event destinations (less than five days), as arranged by Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited local tour operators assisted by DOT and local government unit tourism offices. Also during the guided tours, they must follow the itinerary which should be strict and curated
In the time being, day tours (those not staying overnight) and do-it-yourself tours are not allowed. Tourist movement will be closely monitored by a tour operator and hotel management in all areas.
During travel, documents will be checked electronically or they can print it out and show it border stop, and then after the border they will be required to go to the tourist one stop shop. The La Union Visitor Information and Travel Assistance (NAPANAM) application will be used to register and approve incoming tourists in the planned partial opening of tourism to the three areas.
Not allowed to travel to the Baguio-Pangasinan-La Union-Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte (BLUPISIN) Travel Corridor are individuals aged 60 years of age and above (may be modified any time with the advice from medical and health agencies), pregnant women, and individuals with existing high-risk health conditions.
Travels are on first-come-first-served basis, tourist registrants during the initial phase will be 50 tourists allowed in La Union.
Pit stops have been identified for tourist for quick rest or snacks. A green lane for tourist will be established to promote the safe travel and seamless interconnectivity of land voyage in respective territorial jurisdiction, subject however, to various health and safety protocols.

SP LU REVISITS EXECUTIVE – LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Provincial Administrator Agnes Grace A. Cargamento facilitates the re-targeting workshop for the Legislative Agenda during the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA 2019-2020) Accomplishments – Review and Assessment on September 25, 2020, held at the Vista La Vita, San Vicente, City of San Fernando, La Union. The activity aimed to assess the status of the performance of the 22nd SP on the component of the Legislative Agenda and re-target the legislative support to be provided for the remaining quarter of 2020.