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From the very beginning of the pandemic, Gov Pacoy champions helping our Kaprobinsiaan who needs assistance given the resources that the Provincial Government has. “Lahat ng mangangailangan ng tulong, tutulungan natin sa abot ng ating makakaya”, the Governor always reiterates to his team. One of the programs the Provincial Government supports is the Hatid Tulong Program of the National Government. Through the program, Locally- Stranded Individuals from various areas who wish to go home to our Province are repatriated.
Following a well-defined system and enforcing strict protocols, LSIs are given the warmest welcome while preventing the transmission and spread of the virus in the Province. The Province expects LSIs coming from Manila thus preparations were made to include establishing a drop-off area, deploying support teams, ensuring the readiness of isolation facilities, sourcing the necessary logistics and equipment, as well as coordinating with the hospitals to anticipate possible referral of patients.
The readiness and strength of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) to provide assistance to LSIs is made possible through working coherently with its governance partners to include the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Health, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Information Agency, and the Presidential Management Staff.
On July 26, 2020, a total of 21 Locally-Stranded Individuals (LSIs) were assisted. They arrived in two batches, at 7:17pm and 11:53pm successively. The first batch was comprised of four (4) returnees to Bacnotan, four (4) to Agoo, and one (1) each to Caba and Naguilian; while the second batch is composed of seven (7) returnees to Agoo and three (3) to Naguilian.
They were subjected to strict screening and orientation, decontamination protocols and triage procedures as they arrived at the checkpoint in Rosario. The 11 Agoo residents were transferred and housed in their isolation facility through the initiative of the Municipal Government of Agoo while the other nine (9) LSIs together with an LSI returning to San Gabriel who was intercepted at Bauang, and the two (2) drivers of the service bus coming from Manila who happen to be residents of San Fernando City, are now isolated and taken care of at the Home of Hope: Provincial Isolation Facility.
At the facility, hygiene kits, food, and other amenities are provided and their health status are monitored by health care personnel. They shall also undergo RT-PCR Test as the LSIs only had Rapid Test in Manila. If the test result shows negative, the LSI shall be allowed to go home, but should strictly impose upon themselves the 14-day self-isolation. Their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) shall monitor them daily up to the completion of their quarantine period. On the other hand, if the test result shows positive, the patient will be referred to appropriate health care facility for monitoring and treatment.
To date, a total of 128 LSIs were assisted by the Province together with the component LGUs and other governance partners, 79 of which were through our initiated-program, Awid Kaprobinsiaan, while 49 were through the Hating Tulong program. The PGLU is committed to ensuring the welfare of every kaprobinsiaan, including those who desire to rebuild their lives here in their home province. We shall uphold the spirit of hospitality and compassion, while enforcing strict health protocols to safeguard public safety and security. All these in our common goal to build a #StrongerLaUnion.

The Provincial Government together with its governance partners continue to strengthen its concerted efforts to protect the health and safety of the constituents amid challenges and difficulties.
Particularly, in our quarantine control points, teams are deployed composed of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) to man and implement checkpoint protocols to include review of documents and conduct of triage procedures as well as ensure observance of minimum public health standards among travellers.
Moreover, to assess the current operations and identify the necessary support for the different teams in the quarantine control points, Gov. Pacoy sends a monitoring team headed by its Provincial Core Team Against CoViD-19 (PCTAC) Sub-Committee Head on Checkpoint and Security, Capt Gregor Mendel Panelo on July 25, 2020.
The PGLU shall continue to work more rhythmically and harmoniously with its governance partners to continue with its objective of protecting the welfare of the people given its resources and capabilities.
Our Kaprobinsiaan are encouraged to continue being vigilant and engaged with the government because together, when you are #WithUs, we are stronger!

TOGETHER ON BOARD. To discuss updates on the status of COVID-19 and strategies to move forward in combating the virus, Gov. Pacoy meets with the Local Chief Executives of the component Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province through a virtual conference on July 24, 2020.
Also tackled in the meeting were inter-LGU challenges given the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine in the City of San Fernando and the Municipality of Caba and how to address the same while remaining aligned with the National Government directives.
The Hatid Tulong Program plan was also presented as Locally-Stranded Individuals are expected to arrive on Sunday, July 26, 2020. This is to ensure that necessary protocols to include isolation and testing to prevent the transmission and spread of the virus will be strictly enforced.
Also present during the meeting were PNP Provincial Director PCOL Jay R Cumigad and the members of the Provincial Core Team Against COVID-19 (PCTAC).
Through the continued unity and coherent actions among all the LGUs, stakeholders and constituents, we can win against the pandemic and look forward to a stronger La Union.

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.