LA UNION, Philippines — Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega sets his eyes on the efficient eventual implementation of the initiative of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” launched in Malacañang on February 23, 2026. Gov. Mario is one of the local chief executives who attended the gathering, where the President gave his directives on strengthened implementation of services in local communities. The program aims to elevate the national government’s support for all local government units (LGUs) by making local projects “felt immediately and equitably across every community.” In his message to the Governors and Mayors, President Marcos said, “our local government must be empowered to respond to the needs of the people.” As such, PBBM ordered the increase in the allocation for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), the national government’s funding assistance to LGUs for a wide range of local projects. “We thank the President for this very meaningful initiative. He was once a Governor himself, that’s why he knows very well what the needs of the LGUs are,” Gov. Mario said. “I have full confidence that the Provincial Government of La Union will efficiently localize this new program. Our systems are in place to ensure that this help from the national government will directly respond to the needs of our local communities,” the Governor said. The LGSF serves as a bridge between the national government and local communities, funding numerous projects that have improved the lives of constituents.      

By Rachel Magday NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya and its 15 municipal local government units (LGUs) will receive nearly P370 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government(DILG). This was conveyed by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. to Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito during the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace on February 23, 2026. The program is designed to strengthen the national government’s support for all local government units (LGUs) and ensure that the benefits of national progress are felt “immediately and equitably” across communities nationwide. It also aims to close the “opportunity gap” by translating national economic stability into improved household security, with progress measured through the well-being of Filipino families. “The message is clear: empower our local leaders. P58 billion from the Local Government Support Fund is now moving directly to our local government leaders—faster, clearer and more transparent,” Marcos said. “Our local leaders know their communities best. They see the problems first. They hear the people first. Now they have the resources to act.” Under the LGSF, the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government is expected to receive P160 million in Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU). Of that amount, P80 million will be used to fund the national government’s Rice Support for Families program, which will provide rice subsidies to poor and vulnerable families in the province. The remaining P80 million will be allocated for infrastructure and development projects, including roads, hospitals, rural health stations and medical equipment, water systems, renewable energy use in buildings, solar lighting, multipurpose halls, and a sports stadium. Gov. Gambito underscored the significance of the President’s decision to directly release funds to LGUs, describing it as a transformative step toward empowered local governance. “On behalf of Nueva Vizcaya, I thank President Marcos for this decisive action. Giving our LGUs direct access to resources is a clear commitment to inclusive growth and development across the countryside,” he said. He added that the measure will speed up the rollout of priority programs and serve as a concrete investment in the long‑term progress of Nueva Vizcaya residents. Meanwhile, 15 municipal LGUs in Nueva Vizcaya are set to receive P10 million each. Exceptions are Ambaguio, which already received P49.5 million; Villaverde, P30 million; and Bagabag, P10 million—allocations that are already being implemented in those municipalities.      

GOAT — Greatest of All Time? In La Union, that title isn’t just for sports legends. It’s proudly worn by the four-legged stars of the livestock industry, and they showed up in style. As one of the province’s strongest economic pillars, livestock production continues to power local livelihoods. The Provincial Government isn’t just focused on it. It is cultivating, nurturing, and championing the industry to ensure it grows stronger each year. This commitment was on full display when the Provincial Government of La Union, through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, paraded 17 of the cutest goats around the San Fernando City Plaza during the opening of the La Union Agri Trade Fair on February 23, 2026. The delightful parade was part of the festivities for the 176th La Union Founding Anniversary. Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Domingo Bobby C. Calub III said this activity aimed to spotlight the province’s booming goat industry and highlight goat meat as a vital economic resource for La Union’s farmers and communities. Seventeen goats — coming in male-female pairs —  proudly represented different towns across the province. Their respective Municipal Agriculture Offices and City Veterinary Office carefully scouted the most mesmerizing mekmek, the Ilokano nickname for goat, to take part in the parade. The entries showcased not only healthy livestock but also the dedication and hard work of local raisers behind them. And what’s a parade without a little flair? The mekmek strutted around the plaza in colorful and creative costumes. There was a bride and groom duo that looked ready to say “I do,” a swaggering cowboy mekmek straight out of the Wild West, and other charmingly dressed contenders that drew cheers, laughter, and countless photo snaps from the crowd. The mekmek of the Municipality of Naguilian, both doe and buck, stole the spotlight and was hailed as the Most Amazing Mekmek. Municipality of Balaoan, both buck and doe, got first place. The municipality of Santol got the second place for buck category and Municipality of Tubao got the third place for doe category. Indeed, being the GOAT is both an honor and a spectacle. Meanwhile, Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega reaffirmed the PGLU’s unwavering support for farmers and livestock raisers, emphasizing that agriculture remains a major economic thrust of the province. With initiatives like the Agri Trade Fair and the Parade of GOATs, La Union continues to celebrate not only its heritage but also the hardworking hands and hooves that help drive its progress. Because in this province, the GOAT isn’t just the greatest of all time. It is also the greatest of the farm.        

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Philippines —The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) announced that the newly built Clark Aviation Capital (CAC) Picnic Grounds, located along Gil Puyat Avenue near the Clark International Airport (CRK), will soon open as a community park space for visitors to the Freeport Zone. The modernized picnic grounds are designed to serve as an accessible public space at no cost, offering amenities such as jogging and walking paths, recreational and wellness facilities, an amphitheater, a playground, a pet park, and expansive open areas. The development will also feature a storm water reservoir or catch basin for flood mitigation, ample parking areas, park benches, coffee shops, community gardens, and food and beverage stalls, making it suitable for family outings, picnics, recreational activities, and tourism. Project planners ensured the preservation of the site’s dense concentration of century-old acacia trees planted in the early 1900s during the American colonial period, with no trees felled during construction. The Clark Picnic Grounds form part of CIAC’s Seven Flagship Projects under its Urban Renewal and Heritage Conservation Program, which aims to implement modern urban planning principles and promote sustainability within the Clark Freeport Zone. Once completed, the CAC Picnic Grounds will complement other designated outdoor areas in Clark, including the Clark Parade Grounds, Bicentennial Park, and Air Force City Park. The project’s initial phase of development, covering five hectares of the nine-hectare CIAC property, is almost complete and is expected to open to the public soon. CIAC said the project is intended to strengthen community engagement and enhance public spaces within the Clark Freeport Zone. “As we develop the Clark Aviation Capital, we are committed to creating sustainable and inclusive public spaces that improve quality of life and foster stronger communities,” CIAC President Jojit Alcazar said. As the aviation and land development arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), CIAC continues to advance efforts to transform the Clark civil aviation complex into a premier global aviation and logistics hub.

By vJason Neola   NAGA CITY, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Feb. 21, personally inspected key waterways in the city that require de-clogging and assessed the structural condition of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum (JMR) following damages caused by recent earthquakes and typhoons. The President was joined by Mayor Leni Robredo and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, along with heads of concerned national government agencies, in a high-level inspection that underscored coordination between Malacañang and the LGU. During the visit, President Marcos formally turned over a P500-M check to the city government, earmarked exclusively for the renovation and retrofitting of the JMR Coliseum. The funding will transform the facility into a dual-purpose, world-class structure that will serve both as Naga’s primary evacuation center during disasters and as a premier venue for major city events and sports competitions. The coliseum sustained structural damage in previous calamities, prompting the city to seek national assistance for its rehabilitation. Mayor Robredo welcomed the support, saying the retrofitting will ensure the safety of evacuees and event-goers while strengthening the city’s disaster preparedness infrastructure. As part of “Oplan Kontra Baha,” the President, together with Secretary Dizon and Mayor Robredo, personally inspected dredging operations at Sagop Creek, one of the critical waterways contributing to flooding in nearby barangays. The flood mitigation initiative focuses on clearing creeks and drainage systems to restore proper water flow and prevent perennial flooding, especially during heavy rains. According to reports presented during the inspection, some 2,350 cubic meters of silt and sludge have already been removed from the city’s creek systems. National agencies committed to fast-track complementary interventions, including continued dredging, drainage improvement, and long-term flood control planning. The visit highlighted rare but significant collaboration between the national government under President Marcos and the Robredo-led local government of Naga. The President was welcomed by city officials, barangay captains, department heads, and local athletes, who gathered to witness the inspection and the ceremonial turnover of funds. The morale boost comes at a time when the city is in the thick of implementing various approaches, strategies, and innovations drawn from a series of high-level policy gatherings it recently convened, namely, the Basura Summit 2026: Naga City Solid Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability Summit, the Naga City Anti Drug Abuse Summit 2026, the Naga City Sports Stakeholders Summit 2026, and the Naga City Traffic, Transport and Mobility Summit 2026. Recommendations and action points from these summits are now being translated into concrete programs and reforms aimed at strengthening governance, public safety, environmental protection, grassroots sports development, and urban mobility across the city. City officials expressed optimism that the national government’s support will accelerate Naga’s infrastructure recovery and reinforce its long-term resilience against natural disasters. |