GOV. RAFY SCORES ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ‘PUSO TALKS’ PROBINSYANIHAN

September 13, 2024 Provincial

SAN FERNANDO, La Union

Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David heralds the significant accomplishments and milestones under her administration in her recent address dubbed PUSO Talks: Estado ng La Union PROBINSYAnihan Para Sa Mamamayan. In her speech, Governor Rafy bannered her accomplishments anchored on her P.U.S.O. Agenda: People Centered and Driven Governance; Universal Access to Basic Needs; Sustainable and Progressive Economy; at Orderly, Sustainable, and Resilient component local governments and barangays.

The activity was held on September 9 at the Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center (La Union Convention Center), before representatives of various community sectors, civil society organizations, and stakeholders and partners in good governance. “Katulad po ng aking ipinangako noong unang taon ng aking termino, hindi na ang tao ang lalapit sa gobyerno. Ang gobyerno at ang governor ang lalapit sa inyo. Sana po ay naramdaman po ninyo ito. Atin pong inuuna ang transparency, accountability, at participation.

Lahat po tayo ay aktibong bahagi ng ating pamamahala,” said Gov. Rafy, who marked her second year as the first female Governor of the province. People-Centered and Driven Governance Under this program, she is committed to uphold the interest and welfare of the people. To continuously elevate public service. The province has maintained its status as the first and only Provincial Government including its five district hospitals to receive three ISO certifications. Some P11.52 million worth of financial assistance were turned-over to 576 barangays with each barangays receiving P 20, 000 to serve as an additional fund for the socio economic projects.

Universal Access to Basic Needs Over P18 Million was allocated for the construction of Barangay Health Station with Birthing Facilities. PGLU also prioritized health infrastructures in the province as it invested almost P60 Million on hospital buildings and facilities. To bring health services to far-flung areas, about 15,697 KaPROBINSYAnihan from 200 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA),

Non-GIDA, and coastal barangays were provided with medical assistance through the RAFY Always KaLUsugan and Saluad Salun-at Medical-Dental Outreach Program. Based on the data of Philippine Statistics Authority, poverty incidence among families decreased from 6.6% in 2021 to 6.3% in 2023, thus, remains one of the least poor provinces in the Philippines. “Through this initiative, we have expanded bed capacities in all of our district hospitals, upgraded equipment, and ensured that our healthcare workers have the resources they need to provide top notch care,” the governor said.

A total of P 300,000 worth of financial assistance was also given to the Pederasyon ng may Kapansanan ng La Union (PMKLU) for the provision of assistive devices, reflective of the PGLU’s thrusts to uphold the interests of persons with disabilities. As part of the commitment of the Ready Assistance For You (RAFY) Desk, Gov. Rafy also aims to expedite the processing and releasing of financial assistance to constituents. Senior citizens continue to actively contribute to the province’s vigor. To harness this, the PGLU allotted P 6.33 Million financial assistance to 476 senior citizen beneficiaries under the Enhanced Access to Golden Existence Program.

A Home for the Elderly was also built in Ili Norte, San Juan, La Union which now houses wards who are also provided with residential, socio-cultural, and spiritual support. At the core of Gov. Rafy’s governance thrust is education over 1,627 college students and 183 students belong to indigenous groups are under the PGLU’s scholarship roster, receiving regular financial assistance and other educational support. Some P300,000 worth of educational assistance was granted to 60 PWD students. During the Brigada Eskwela 2024 Kick-Off, PGLU distributed more than P 9 Million to all 453 public at integrated schools in La Union, with each school receiving P 20,000.

P 83.5 Million was also invested in the school facilities including eight classrooms and facilities, six school covered courts, and two school stages. To sustain health protection among barangay frontliners, Gov. Rafy revealed her plans for the comprehensive enrolment of Barangay Tanod, Barangay Health Workers, Child Development Workers, at Barangay Nutrition Scholars in Philhealth. Sustainable and Progressive Economy For the Sustainable and Progressive Economy, PGLU continues to provide support and programs to farmers and fisherfolks as they greatly contribute to the economic growth of the province and towards the vision to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon.

The PGLU extended special financial assistance worth P 42.9 Million to El Niño-hit farmers and fisherfolk. Another 11,937 farmer-beneficiaries received 300 bags of certified seeds and 36,294 packs of hybrid seeds. Through partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), some 106 agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province received Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Localized Kadiwa ng Pangulo generated P2.6 Million of revenue for participating farmers and agripreneurs.

She reported that the province has constructed farm-to-market roads, interior roads, and bridges costing P116 Million; four Farmers Multi-Purpose Center/Building worth P18 Million; a Processing Center worth P1.5 Million; and two Irrigation System/Small Water Impounding Project worth P7 Million. The province remained competitive and sustainable as it recorded 237,868 tourists arrivals during the first semester of 2024 and gained a total revenue of P462.2 Million. Recognizing the indispensable role and impact of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in driving economic prosperity and province’s growth, local MSMEs were capacitated through Kaya Con Summit this year, gathering 450 agricultural players and entrepreneurs.

A total of P18 Million sales was generated in the PasaLUbong Center in 2023 up to July 2024 with an average of 78% monthly increase during the first semester. Orderly, Sustainable, and Resilient Component LGUs and Barangays With strong alignment to the National Government’s whole-of-nation approach, Gov. Rafy firmly declared that La Union remains insurgency-free and expressed her gratitude to the collaboration of law enforcers and force multipliers in their unwavering effort and exemplary service to safeguard the constituents. This reflects the province as the beacon of a safe and secure environment.

In support to the peace and order efforts of the La Union Police Provincial Office, PGLU turned over essential resources worth almost P5 Million to assist in their daily operation which includes boat rescue and accessories, among others. 125 Multi-purpose health and rescue vehicles were turned-over to barangays in the municipalities of Caba, Bauang, Pugo, Bagulin, Burgos and Bangar for emergency cases. PUSO Talks also serve as the kick-off of the activities for the upcoming 125th Founding anniversary of the province. Gov. Rafy announced the comeback of the festive street dancing competition and the glowing electric float parade.

John Elysar C. Martin and Justin Paul D. Marbella, PIO