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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.

As the world progresses and leans towards industrialization and digital revolution, the people of the 21st century, are the beneficiaries of these innovation and modernizations. Technology is the greatest tool that we are utilizing these days in order to combat and address issues in this pandemic that the whole world is facing.

Being an advocate of Transformative Governance, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), has come up with the NAPANAM Contact Tracer designed to mainly track and monitor the movement of the people within the premises of La Union helping the contact tracer team in identifying the individual/s who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive case.

The system boasts features that helps in the province’s data analysis, planning and response with regard to the pandemic. It has a Quick Response Code or QR code which displays the health declaration form of the person who owns that code. Because of this, people will no longer take much time in filling out health declaration forms as they enter establishments like fast food chains, drugstores, convenience stores or groceries. The system could also be customized to trace transportation vehicles that enter the domain of La Union.

The Information Communications Technology Unit (ICTU) together with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office formally introduced and demonstrated the NAPANAM system to Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III and to the La Union League of Municipalities of the Philippines attended in by participants from the 20 component Local Government Units (LGU) on September 28, 2020 via video conferencing.

The said system was also presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Board Members during the 70th Session of the SP on October 27, 2020 at the SP Session Hall.

On October 17, 2020, the NAPANAM Contact tracer Information System (I.S.) has undergone pilot testing within the PGLU offices/employees. The post assessment has shown a positive and promising result. The pilot test has shown that it is easier to trace and monitor individuals with QR codes because the information gathered from them are stored and kept safe and private within the system of the ICTU of the PGLU.

On November 3, 2020 the said system was officially launched and the PGLU employees at the Provincial Capitol premises were required to have their own QR code scanned.

The ICTU continues to expand, broaden and improve the efficiency and the efficacy of the NAPANAM Contact Tracer system. The said system will soon be officially launched and be implemented and required to the different LGUs.