Budget Consultation Dialogues Conducted in PGLU

The Provincial Budget Office together with Provincial Planning and Development Office, and the Office of the Provincial Strategy conduct a two-day Consultation Dialogue on October 29-30, 2020 at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union, to reform the various budget proposals made by the 27 Offices and five District Hospitals of the Provincial Government of La Union.

The activity aimed to incorporate the La Union Transformative Governance Roadmap “Stronger La Union: Provincial Strategy on response, recovery, and local economic development,” in the proposals. The participants re-assessed their submitted budget proposals and identified possible changes to be done in order to have a harmonized Annual Investment Plan, Annual Budget, and Project Procurement Management Plan for the Calendar Year 2021.

DENR, PGLU MONITORS LU Solid Waste Management

The Office of the Provincial Governor – Environment and Natural Resources Unit in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 1 conduct a joint monitoring of implementation of solid waste management plans in La Union on September 14, 2020 to October 29, 2020.

In 2019, all of the 10-year solid waste management plans of component LGUs of the Province of La Union has been approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) ExeCom. As mandated in the NSWMC Resolutions approving the plans of the LGUs, monitoring shall be conducted to determine the compliance of LGUs to the 10-year SWM plan thus a joint monitoring of Provincial Government of La Union and DENR-EMB Region 1 was conducted.

The monitoring team evaluated the implementation of the activities indicated in their plans such as creation of Municipal/City Environment and Natural Resources Officer; segregation at source; collection of wastes; operational management of Materials Recovery Facilities; establishment/maintenance of sanitary landfill facilities; and special wastes management among others. Spot inspection was conducted in public markets, schools, barangays and households. Findings of the said monitoring were discussed with the Local Chief Executives and concerned offices.

SP STAFF UNDERGO COMPUTER LITERACY ENHANCEMENT TRAINING

Employees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) display their certificate of participation after completing the Computer Literacy Enhance training for SP Staff conducted on October 28 and 29, 2020 at the Cong. Eriguel Hall, SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.

LU Commemorates Antonio Luna’s 154th Birthday Anniversary

Vice Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega, Board Member (BM) Geraldine R. Ortega, BM Frank Sibuma, BM Alyssa Kristine Sibuma, and Provincial Government of La Union employees offer wreath before the statue of Gen. Antonio Luna at the Heroes Hill, City of San Fernando, La Union, on October 29, 2020.

The ceremony was held to commemorate the 154th birthday anniversary of the hero, whose mother, Doña Laurena Novicio-Luna, is a native of Luna, La Union.
A Filipino Revolutionary leader, military tactician, pharmacist, journalist, and member of the Malolos Congress, Luna was instrumental in achieving the nation’s independence.

Mining Operations, Applications in La Union Assessed

The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of the Province of La Union convenes on October 27, 2020, at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, City of San Fernando, to assess the current mining operations and evaluate the process of mining applications in La Union.

Engr. Carlos A. Tayag, Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences and chairman of the Board, presided over the meeting together with Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, Provincial Governor of La Union and Vice-chair of the Board and EnP. Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, Supervising Environmental Management Specialist.

Members of the Board are Engr. George Opinaldo, representative of Industrial and Commercial Sand and Gravel Mining Sector, Engr. Maximo F. Soriano, Jr, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer-La Union, Engr. Emilio L. Bilagot Jr, and For. Shamer T. Kidsolan, representatives of DENR-PENRO-La Union, Atty. Mario S. Timario, Jr, representative of DENR-MGB Region 1, Engr. Renato Rimando, Engr. Paula Blessie Morante, and Engr. Rommilyn V. Torio as technical secretariats. Representatives from LGU-Pugo, EnP. Alfredo Tubera, MPDC, and SBM Mixico Dulay were also present during the meeting.

OUTPOUR OF DONATIONS FOR A STRONGER LA UNION

OUTPOUR OF DONATIONS FOR A STRONGER LA UNION. Outpour of donations continues to shower the Provincial Government of La Union from generous partners, such as Mr. Artemio Yadao of La Fayette Luxury Resort and Hotel in Bauang, La Union, who donated 15,000 pieces of faceshield on October 7, 2020. In return, the PGLU extends its resources to external organizations needing support in their implementation of health protocols as part of the adjustments in the new normal. These include the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 1, which received sanitation supplies from PGLU on October 16, 2020, and the Diocesan Seminary of the Heart of Jesus on October 21, 2020.

Comm. Belgica Shares Anti-Corruption Fight to LU SP

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union, through the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety headed by its chairperson Board Member Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V, held a consultation meeting on the topic, “Lowering Corruption: A Transformative Factor for Peace” on October 21, 2020.

The topic was thoroughly discussed by a long-time anti-corruption ally of the province, Commissioner Greco B. Belgica of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). Commissioner Belgica gave an in-depth presentation of the Economic Cost and Effect of Corruption and the way forward ahead for the Philippines in the fight against corruption. He highlighted two ways to eradicate corruption: remove corrupt government officials and simplify complex government system.

Discussed in the consultation was how PACC handles complaints against corrupt officials and/or anomalies in agencies, and if the evidence is sufficient, same office also handles the actual arrest. To date, the PACC has axed 20 government officials, three of which were successfully decided in favor of the Commission.

Comm. Belgica concluded his presentation by saying, “In order to achieve a corrupt free government, we will need a strong and effective justice system, amendment of outdated anti-corruption laws, a system to manage flow using technology, and the reinstatement of death penalty for heinous crimes and classifying corruption as such, and most importantly, a strong executive leader that supports anti-corruption work.”

Comm. Belgica reiterated President Rodrigo ROA Duterte and his administration’s commitment to eliminate corruption for the betterment of the quality of life of the Filipinos. In return, the province of La Union headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III, through the SP, Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety affirmed the province’s utmost support toward the attainment of a corrupt-free society.

FACE MASK WITH FACE SHIELD NOW REQUIRED IN LA UNION

The 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approves on 3rd and Final Reading during its 69th Regular Session on October 20, 2020 the Full-Face Shield Ordinance. The ordinance aims to raise health protocols to further reduce the risks of transmitting the Corona Virus Disease 2019 in public transport and other facilities as health authorities pointed out that the use of face shields and masks to reduce the exposure and the emission of respiratory droplets.