SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union –Governor Mario Ortega expressed his full support and commitment to the province’s compliance with the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the national budget during the “Badyet ng Bayan at Mamamayan” (BBM) Usapang Budget Natin Forum held at the Bacnotan Public Market in Bacnotan, La Union, which hosted the Luzon portion of the forum, on February 13.
Ortega and Bacnotan Mayor Divina Fontanilla welcomed cabinet secretaries, including DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon; heads of provincial and regional agencies, national officials from various departments, and other distinguished guests who attended the occasion.
Fontanilla also expressed his deep gratitude to the national agencies for recognizing and choosing Bacnotan as the first-ever Luzon forum.
According to Ortega, the importance of transparency in the use of the national budget to further strengthen priority sectors in line with the development goals of his administration.
He also emphasized the important cooperation between the Provincial and National Governments in delivering accessible and quality services to the people of La Union and accelerating growth.
“We are here to serve and I open my heart to all of them, let’s unite to improve La Union,” said Ortega.
Secretary Dizon assured the province that they will complete the Bauang–San Fernando Bypass Road project by 2027, to completely relieve traffic in downtown areas and to benefit residents and tourists.
In his statement at the forum, Dizon said that efforts are being made to expedite projects to further boost tourism in the Ilocos Region, including the Naguilian–Bagulin–Kapangan Road, both of which are targeted for completion also by 2027.
He also said that the construction of the Rosario Bypass Road and the TPLEX Extension, are being expedited with the help of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation.
“This is the lowest budget of the DPWH. The DPWH budget is almost half, if we compare it to last year, because this year’s allocation is small, but don’t worry, the agency will work within its budget.” (By Zaldy Comanda)
