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LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS TO FIGHT COVID-19. Gov Pacoy convened San Fernando City Mayor Alfredo Ortega, Baguio City Councilor Francisco Roberto Ortega VI, Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 1 Dir. PBGEN Rodolfo S Azurin Jr., PNP Provincial Dir. PCOL Jay R Cumigad, Department of Health CoViD-19 Focal Person Dr. Rheuel Bobis, Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Rosario Pamintuan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Eduardo Posadas, Designate Assistant PDRRMO Alvin Cruz and San Fernando City Health Officer Dr. Allyn Pacio today, July 18, 2020 to meet with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who has been appointed by President Duterte as the country’s contact tracing czar, to discuss strategies for the province to intensify its contact tracing as a means to contain CoViD-19.

Given the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, with the current tally at 49 confirmed cases, the Province aims to solidify its efforts through further capacitating its Provincial Contact Tracing Team (CTT), strengthening partnerships with the component LGU CTTs and the Philippine National Police, enhancing current data systems to be utilized for contact tracing and adapting Baguio City’s CoViD-19 Incident Management Workflow, among others.

The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through Governor Pacoy Ortega’s directive, intensifies border control in the seven entry and exit points in La Union following the spike of CoViD-19 cases in the province.
Border Control
The existing manpower at the checkpoints in Sudipen, Tubao, Pugo, Burgos, Bani in Rosario, Udiao in Rosario, and TPLEX Rosario – Exit were augmented to continually enhance operations while maintaining their health and well-being. Around five Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, three BFP personnel, and two personnel from the Provincial Government were deployed on the identified checkpoints.
LSIs, Non-APOR and Repatriates
Checkpoint personnel strictly monitors individuals entering the province making sure that necessary documents are complete and presented. Stricter protocols are enforced for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Non- Authorized Persons Outside Residence (Non-APOR) as they are required to undergo triage procedures.
PGLU is also working closely with the component LGUs, PNP, BFP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) to help repatriates through the Tulong Kaprobinsiaan Program following a set guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus in the Province.
Moreover, since the Province has activated its Health Care Provider Network (HCPN), the system to accommodate travelers showing symptoms, Non-APOR and OFWs with incomplete documents is fully-operational to ensure immediate isolation, testing, and treatment, as necessary. Should there be an incomplete presentation of documents, the receiving LGU directs the traveler to the isolation facilities and quarantine procedures are implemented.
As the government continues to uphold its duties to preserve the welfare of its citizens, Kaprobinsiaan are urged to adhere to the minimum health standards and continue their cooperation with the local government, especially in these uncertain times.

To continuously conserve marine lives in the province, a total of 70 units of fabricated Artificial Reefs are ready to be installed in the Municipalities of Balaoan, Bacnotan and San Juan (BALBASAN).

The Office of the Provincial Governor – Environment and Natural Resources Unit (OPG-ENRU) assisted the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) Inspection Team in the checking on July 15, 2020. The inspection showed that the fabricated Artificial Reefs are in good condition.

To facilitate easily deployment in the future, the fabrication of the artificial reefs were distributed in the BALBASAN Marine Protected Area. There were 20 units fabricated in Paraoir, Balaoan; 20 units in Tammucalao, Bacnotan; and 30 units in Taboc, San Juan, La Union.

Artificial reefs are man-made underwater structure used to promote marine life in areas of generally featureless bottom and it is one of the innovative schemes of the PGLU for coastal marine development and conservation.

It is expected that these artificial reefs will provide a stable growing area for corals and will serve as habitat for fishes and all the other marine animals in said area.

PGLU CARES. Representing Gov Pacoy, Mr Adamor Dagang, Provincial Information Officer-Tourism Officer Designate and staff meet the officers of the La Union Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurant Association (LUHRRA), La Union Alliance of Travel & Tour Agencies (LUATTA), and the La Union Entrepreneurs for Progress Association (LUEPA), on July 10,2020 at the Provincial Capitol.

The discussion focused on how these organizations can complement each other and collectively work for the recovery of the tourism industry. This in relation to the PGLU CARES program, a stimulus package for La Union’s tourism-related organizations.

The Provincial Government of La Union turns over to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pugo its donation of one glass shredder and one plastic shredder for the LGU’s Sanitary Landfill, on July 9, 2020. Likewise, the PGLU turned over the prizes to LGU-winners of the 2018 Provincial Search for the Cleanest, Safest, and Greenest Local Government Unit and Municipal Bodies of Water. Bangar received one plastic shredder while Bauang received three grass cutters as their prizes.

The Office of the Provincial Assessor’s Assessment team, joined by OIC-Municipal Assessor Rhonda O. Genetiano of Rosario, La Union, inspects the Real Properties of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) tollgate situated at Brgy. Nangcamotian, Rosario, La Union on July 6, 2020. The 11.45km final phase of the expressway between Rosario and Pozzurubio, Pangasinan will open on July 15, 2020 which is expected to reduce the travel time of motorists from La Union to Manila to three-and-a-half hours.

The Provincial Government of La Union conducts regular monitoring of implementation of border control protocols in the province to sustain the strict regulation of entry of individuals especially from COVID-19 high-risk areas. The province remains to be under Modified General Community Quarantine up to July 15, 2020, following the announcement of Pres. Duterte on June 30.