BUKSAN ANG BUKAS: GOV. PACOY DELIVERS SOPA 2021

“Yesterday may leave a long-lasting scar among all of us, but we remain persistent in conquering the present to pave the way for a better tomorrow.” – Gov. Pacoy With high hopes for the future and equipped with the established transformative governance, Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III addressed the constituents presenting the accomplishments of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) and the plans ahead though the 2021 State of the Province Address (SOPA) on September 28, 2021 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
Governance Rooted in Love. Gov. Pacoy highlighted that the PGLU has entered the Institutionalization Stage of the Performance Governance System (PGS); continued partnerships with the Multi- Sectoral Governance Council and La Union Coalition of Civil Society Organizations.
The province also utilizes systems such as the Elyunite Life Satisfaction Survey, ISO Integrated Management System and Link.Biz Portal. Efficient Management of Peace and Order He also presented PGLU initiatives geared towards improved peace and order showing 38.4% decrease in crime volume and maintained high rates for crime clearance and solution efficiency resulting to La Union remaining to be Insurgency Free.
The Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Action Plan was also adopted.
Strengthened Health Operations. Gov. Pacoy reported on the CoViD-19 Status of the province and the Prevention, Detection, Isolation and Treatment and Reintegration or the PDITR Strategy to combat the virus. He also tackled non-CoViD-19 health programs.
Reinforced Disaster Risk Reduction as part of the Resilient Communities Center being established, the La Union Peace, Order and Public Safety Building and La Union 911 Public Safety Answering Point remains operational.
Thriving Social Services. Service delivery most especially to the vulnerable sectors of children, women, elderly, persons with disability and indigenous people were also discussed including the relief operations of the province in times of disasters.
Sufficient Agriculture. The province is supply efficient in terms of Agriculture. Under the sector, the #AgreeSaAgri campaign, African Swine Fever assistance, and the establishment of La Union Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, and Agri-Modernization Plan were also tackled.
Enhanced Business and Employment. We have piloted the FindJobs La Union, Online job fairs, and La Union Investment Plan: Thrive in La Union for business and employment reflecting in the province being rank 1 in Region 1, rank 1 in Northern Luzon and rank 13 in the country for the Most Competitive Province. We are also one of the National Finalists of Most Business Friendly LGU Award.
Innovations in Tourism. Innovations in tourism were reported with several of its programs including LGUs for Tourism Development Planning, Oplan PUKSA (Passion and Unity for Keeping Safe Attractions), Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor, Love La Union Digital Travel and Tourism Expo.
La Union is also 9th of the Top 10 Provinces across the country with the highest compliance of Local Culture Inventory submission for the year 2020.
Breakthroughs in Environment. With Gov. Pacoy’s passion for environmental preservation, the PGLU launched the Kalikasan Naman campaign. He reported that the Province has the most number of approved Solid Waste Management Plan in Region 1 and 1st place for the Naguilian River under the DENR’s R.I.V.E.R.s for Life Award. Latest initiatives include the Thousand Tree Challenge, the Tree Education and Inventory Project, and the utilization of an Air Quality Grading Equipment.
Attended by all 13 Board Members, the SOPA conducted during the 118th Session of the 22nd SP was presided by Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega who also received the SOPA report from the Governor. This year’s SOPA theme is “Buksan ang Bukas” reflecting the hope the future has in store capitalizing on the unity of the people of La Union.
Observing the new normal protocols guests joined the session via video conferencing including First District Representative Pablo C. Ortega, Second District Representative Sandra Eriguel; Mayors; Vice Mayors; Sangguniang Bayan Members; National Government Agencies; Uniformed Personnel; La Union Coalition of Civil Society Organization; Multi-Sectoral Governance Council; Association of Barangay Captains; Sangguniang Kabataan; Local Faith Leaders; PGLU Department Heads, Chiefs of Hospitals, Unit Heads, and Consultants.
The SOPA 2020 was also aired through Facebook, Aksyon Radyo and MyFM for the general public. The Facebook live earned around
31,600 Views with 62,700, Reach 4,302 Reactions 1,400 Engagements, 946 Shares, and 1,505 Comments.
Offering a prayer, Gov. Pacoy ended his speech with the hope of a brighter future with the present established strengths of the province saying, “We owe yesterday for where we are today. I say this because it has pushed us beyond our limits and opened new doors for us to explore. We courageously faced and responded to the demands of our constituents and sought to deliver services and resources to the people who needed it most…at the time that they needed it most and right where they needed it most.”
Camille R. Bumatay, PIO/Photos By: Wendell Tangalin, Sonny Buenaventura, PIO

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