By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog   VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines  — A science-driven livelihood initiative in Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur, is expected to create new income opportunities, strengthen local food processing, and enhance climate resilience after the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) approved more than P1.7 million in assistance under its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program. The project aims to develop a community-based soybean enterprise that will provide residents with livelihood opportunities through the production and processing of soy-based products such as soya milk and tofu. According to the local government, a significant portion of the funding will be used to acquire processing equipment and provide technical training to residents, with implementation targeted for completion by the end of 2026. Municipal Information Officer Graceshel Trinidad said soybean production offers a practical livelihood option because it requires relatively low agricultural inputs and has a short production cycle. “Soybean growing conditions are simple because they do not require much agricultural input and can be harvested quickly. Soybean byproducts such as soya milk and tofu can effectively serve as an alternative One Town, One Product (OTOP) for our town, alongside the established banana chips,” Trinidad said in a phone interview on June 17. The initiative will initially benefit residents of Barangay Bagbagotot, particularly those with limited sources of income. Building on the community’s existing experience in soybean cultivation and processing, the project will provide skills enhancement, product development support, and access to technology that can improve production efficiency, product quality, and the shelf life of soy-based products. Beyond livelihood support, Trinidad said the partnership with DOST will help strengthen product marketing and enterprise development, enabling residents to tap wider markets and increase the value of locally produced goods. “This partnership is invaluable as it encompasses not only livelihood provision but also addresses aspects of human resource development; education; health and sanitation; and environmental protection and conservation, all essential for the welfare of Banayoyo residents,” she said. To sustain the initiative, the municipal government has allocated more than P2 million for the construction of a soybean processing and livelihood center that will serve as a hub for production, training, and enterprise development. As part of project preparations, personnel from DOST Ilocos Sur conducted a site assessment and layout planning activity on June 9 for the proposed processing facility. In an online post, DOST said the visit focused on the facility’s design, production process flow, and food safety requirements necessary for manufacturing soy-based products. The initiative also supports broader efforts to strengthen local food production and value-adding in rural communities. By expanding soybean processing at the community level, the project is expected to contribute to food security while creating additional sources of income for participating households. Complementing the livelihood component, Banayoyo also plans to implement another CEST-funded intervention—the installation of an automated weather station. The facility will provide real-time meteorological information to help local authorities and residents improve disaster preparedness and response in a municipality vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Trinidad said the documentation process for the partnership is currently underway. Once operational, the soybean processing center is expected to expand livelihood opportunities, promote value-added local products, and position Banayoyo as a model for science-based rural enterprise development in the Ilocos Region. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)                

BACNOTAN, La Union — Sinigurado ng Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) ang nalalapit na konstruksyon ng Provincial Storage Facility with Solar Dryer sa Bacnotan, La Union. Ayon kay Gov.Mario Ortega ang proyekto ay itinuturing na pangmatagalan at modernong solusyon sa La Union para sa post-harvest losses ng mga magsasaka. Pinatunayan din ni Governor Ortega na buo ang kanyang suporta sa proyektong ito na magpapaunlad pa ang kabuhayan ng bawat Elyucano sa sektor ng agrikultura. Ang Storage Facility with Solar Dryer ang nakikitang solusyon ng probinsya para matugunan ang epekto ng post-harvest losses sa mga magsasaka dahil sa kakulangan ng tamang imbakan. Ang kanilang mga ani ay tinatabi lang sa bahay gamit ang trapal o sako na siyang dahilan ng mabilis na pagkasira ng aning produkto. Ang maitatayong warehouse na may 350 square meter floor area at 572.37 square meter multi-purpose drying pavement ang nakikitang solusyon na makatutulong para maiwasan ang pagkalugi at mabawasan ang pagbilad ng mga ani sa kalsada na nakaaapekto sa kalidad ng produkto. Tinatayang nasa 22 Farmers Associations, Cooperatives, at Irrigators Associations mula Balaoan, Bacnotan, at Luna ang makikinabang dito pero tiniyak naman ng pamahalaan na bukas ang proyektong ito sa publiko kapag operational na. Sinabi ni Ortega na magiging maayos at mabusisi ang implementasyon ng nasabing proyekto sa pamamagitan ng isang Pre-Construction Conference na ginanap noong June 9-11, 2026 sa Bacnotan Public Market Function Hall. Layunin ng tatlong araw na conference na talakayin ang estratehiya at kabuuang plano ng Storage Facility na itatayo sa Brgy. Bungol, Balaoan, La Union. Dito binigyang-linaw ang mga kondisyon ng kontrata, documentary requirements, timeline, at schedule para maiwasan ang posibleng aberya sa konstruksyon. Buong suporta rin ang ipinadama ni Bacnotan Mayor Divina C. Fontanilla sa kanyang mensahe para sa mga komunidad na makikinabang sa pasilidad. Nagbigay ng overview ang mga personnel ng Department of Agriculture (DA) tungkol sa Philippine Rural Development Project – Scale Up (PRDP-SU) kung saan nakapaloob ang proyektong ito na pinondohan ng The World Bank. Tinalakay din ang tungkulin ng Contractor, Program of Work, Site Management, Social and Environmental Safeguards, funds flow, billing schedule, at paggamit ng Geo-Tagging Technology at Geomapping para sa monitoring. Iprinesenta ng contractor ang kanilang construction team, schedule, manpower at equipment plan, construction methodology, at safety plan. Kaakibat din sa proyektong ito ang supervision team na mula sa Provincial Engineering Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, at Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator. Bahagi ng conference ang isinagawang site visit upang makita at suriin ang kondisyon ng lokasyon ng ipapatayong istruktura na pag-aari ng PGLU. Personal na sinukat ang lawak ng lugar para tiyakan ang saktong sukat ng warehouse. Pinag-aralan ding mabuti ang site plan para matukoy ang mga dapat i-consider bago, habang, at pagkatapos ng konstruksyon. Binigyang-diin din ng supervising team at DA personnel ang safety protocols sa lugar, maging ang mga environmental safeguards na dapat sundin habang ginagawa ang storage facility lalo’t mahigpit ang ipinapatupad na guidelines sa mga proyektong nasa ilalim ng PRDP-SU. Isang makabagong hakbang muli ang pinatunayan ng PGLU para bigyang halaga ang kontribusyon ng mga magsasaka sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya ng probinsya.

La Union Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega has been recognized as the Top Performing Governor in the “Boses ng Bayan” Index of Governance Assessment conducted by RPMD Foundation Incorporated. The distinction highlights his administration’s commitment to effective governance, responsive leadership, and dedicated public service for the people of La Union. This achievement serves as a testament to the province’s continued efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance.    

Pormal nang nilagdaan ni Gov. Mario Eduardo C.Ortega ang Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) para sa School Building Program sa ilalim ng Department of Education (DepEd) noong Hunyo 2, 2026, sa DepEd Central Zone, Brgy. San Antonio, Makati City. Ang hakbang na ito ay bilang suporta sa commitment ng Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) na patuloy na isulong ang pagkakaisa at inklusibong edukasyon para sa lahat ng kabataan sa lalawigan ng La Union. Ang proyekto ay naglalayong magpatayo at kumpletuhin ang One Storey, Five Classroom School Building sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng lalawigan ng La Union. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang Nayba Integrated School, San Gabriel; Upper Tumapoc National HS, Burgos; Tio-angan Elementary School, Bagulin; Casilagan Integrated School, Bauang; Castro Elementary School, Sudipen; Baraoas Norte Elementary School; Naguilian at Dr. Cases Elementary School, Agoo. Sa pagkakapirma ng MOA, inaasahang makakapagsimula ng pagpapatayo ng mga classrooms sa mga naturang lugar sa lalong madaling panahon. Buo ang suportang hatid ng Gobernador sa proyektong ito upang mas mapaganda ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa lalawigan. Katuwang din sa nasabing signing ceremony sina DepEd Undersecretary Peter Irving C. Corvera, Mel John I. Verzosa, at Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo R. Bartolome. Magsisilbi itong patunay na ang bawat isa ay kaisa sa layunin ng PGLU na maghatid ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa mga mag-aaral ng La Union sa pamamagitan ng ligtas at sapat na mga silid-aralan.

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Bilang katuwang sa paghahanda ng mga paaralan para sa nalalapit na pagbubukas ng klase, namahagi ang Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) ng mahigit P12 milyong tulong pinansyal upang masuportahan ang Brigada Eskwela ng iba’t ibang pampublikong paaralan sa lalawigan. Pinangunahan ni Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega at mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang pamamahagi ng pondo sa mga principal at program coordinators sa isinagawang distribusyon noong Mayo 28, 2026 sa Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center, City of San Fernando, La Union. Ang taunang pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa mga paaralan ay patunay ng patuloy na suporta ng PGLU sa sektor ng edukasyon, partikular sa pagpapaganda ng mga pasilidad ng mga paaralan at pagtugon sa kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailangan upang mas mapaangat pa ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa lalawigan. Aabot sa Php 10,625,000.00 ang natanggap ng La Union Schools Division Office (LUSDO) habang Php 1,000,000.00 naman ang natanggap ng City of San Fernando Schools Division Office (CSF SDO). Nakatanggap din ngayong taon ang mga nasa Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program na pinaglaanan ng Php 500,000. Makikinabang sa naturang programa ang 425 pampublikong paaralan sa lalawigan kabilang ang mga elementarya, sekondarya, integrated schools, at 40 ALS districts sa buong lalawigan. Kasama sa mga dumalo sa aktibidad ay sina LUSDO Superintendent Dr. Jorge Reinante, CSF SDO Superintendent Dr. Shiela Marie Primicias at iba pang mga education officials. Dumalo rin sina Board Members Gerard Ostrea, Atty. Ernesto Rafon, Joyce Abuan, at Teresita Garcia. Labis ang tuwa habang nagpapahayag ng pasasalamat ang mga guro dahil malaking dagdag ang pondo para sa pagpapaayos at paghahanda ng kanilang mga paaralan bago ang pasukan.                  

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Bilang paggunita sa Heritage Month ngayong 2026, isinagawa ng Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), sa ilalim ng La Union Provincial Library (LUPL), ang isang Film Viewing activity noong ika-28 ng Mayo 2026. Layunin ng inisyatibong ito na hikayatin ang mga kabataan na tangkilikin at mahalin ang kultura ng ating probinsya. Tampok sa nasabing aktibidad ang pagpapalabas ng “2022 Inaig Dokyu Series” na nagpapakita ng natatanging tradisyon at kultura ng La Union. Pinaigting din ng LUPL ang kaalaman ng bawat kalahok sa pamamagitan ng isang question and answer activity upang patuloy nilang kilalanin at isapuso ang sariling atin. Nakiisa sa programang “Kannawidan ti ELYUcano” ang mga kabataan mula sa iba’t ibang sektor kabilang ang mga out-of-school youth sa City of San Fernando, Nasudi Center clients, at mga miyembro ng youth organization na LINK Inc. Kasama rin sa mga nanood at nagpakita ng suporta ang mga opisyal ng Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) mula sa iba’t ibang barangay ng siyudad upang itaguyod ang kultura ng La Union. Sa pamamagitan ng inisyatibong ito, patuloy na pinatutunayan ng PGLU ang kanilang dedikasyon sa paglulunsad ng mga makabuluhang programa para sa pagpapatibay sa kamalayan sa kultura, pamana at kasaysayan. Ang proyektong ito ay bahagi din ng adhikain ng PGLU na paigtingin ang serbisyo ng Provincial Library.      

PANGASINAN – Pinangunahan ni Provincial Administrator Manuel Luis Jr. ang seremonya, kasama si Consultant on Education and Community Development Rocky Magliba, ang pamamahagi ng parangal at cash incentive mula sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa anim na naging topnocher, bilang pagkilala sa kanilang tagumpay at kahusayan sa kani-kanilang larangan. Kabilang sa mga pinarangalan ay sina: *Andrei John D. Chu, Registered Electronics Engineer, Top 1, Electronics Engineering Licensure Examination (ECELE) (October 2025) *Hannah Katrina B. De Vera, Certified Public Accountant Top 2, Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE) (October 2025) *Trisha Nicole N. Oller, Registered Nurse Top 4, Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam (PNLE) (November 2024) *Sophia Marie B. Cancino, Certified Public Accountant, Top 8, CPALE (October 2025) *Kyla S. De Guzman, Registered Nurse Top 10, PNLE (November 2025) *Sophia Lorraine A. Songcuan, Registered Nurse, Top 10, PNLE (November 2024) Sa pamumuno ni Governor Ramon V. Guico III, nakasuporta ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa mga natatanging kabataang Pangasinense na nagbibigay ng karangalan at inspirasyon sa probinsya. (Danna Laureano, Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)        

By Kathlene Joyce Ramones   SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines. (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 1, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO), and the Provincial Government of La Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 14  to establish a Tourist Police Unit aimed at promoting safety and security in the province’s tourism areas. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), which promotes safe, secure, and sustainable tourism destinations across the country. The partnership comes as La Union continues to attract many visitors each year, driven by its growing reputation as a leading tourism destination in Northern Luzon. Under the agreement, the Tourist Police Unit will provide a visible police presence at key tourist sites to ensure peace and order while improving visitors’ overall experience. Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 acting director, Police Brigadier General Jovencio Badua, Jr., said the unit’s creation reflects the shared responsibility of maintaining public safety amid the province’s tourism growth. “As a holistic tourism destination in Northern Luzon, La Union continues to attract millions of visitors each year. With this growth comes our responsibility to maintain peace, order, and public safety,” Badua said. He added that activating the Tourist Police Unit under the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOP COP) program would strengthen responsive and service-oriented policing in tourism areas. DOT Region 1 Regional Director Benjamin ‘Bingo’ Manahan, Jr., meanwhile, emphasized that tourism development must go hand in hand with public safety. “When travelers feel secure, communities prosper, businesses grow, jobs are created, and confidence in our region becomes stronger,” Manahan said. The DOT vowed to continue working with local government units (LGUs), law enforcement agencies, and tourism stakeholders to promote safe and tourist-friendly destinations across the Ilocos and Pangasinan region. The La Union Tourist Police Unit is also expected to serve as a model for tourism security initiatives nationwide once it is fully established. (CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)

  LA UNION, Philippines – Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega led the distribution of financial assistance reflecting the continued strengthening and prioritization of the needs of the agricultural sector especially during the calamity-affected period in the province. Elyucano farmers and fisherfolk were filled with hope and gratitude after they personally received financial assistance from the Provincial Government of La Union, held at the Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center, City of San Fernando, La Union, on May 11. A total of 209 beneficiaries from various towns in La Union received financial assistance, including farmers and fisherfolk from Bangar, Bauang, Caba, Luna, and Sudipen. Gov. Ortega expressed his support for farmers and fisherfolk as one of the important contributors to society. He also directed the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to focus on the immediate needs of the agricultural sector. “Don’t give up on any storm that comes because we are always here behind you ready to support. We will continue to unite to provide sufficient and appropriate assistance to our farmers and fishermen,” said Gov. Mario. It can be recalled that Typhoon Uwan hit La Union in November 2025, and it left severe damage especially in the agricultural sector that made fishermen and farmers suffer. The Financial Assistance Program is under Provincial Ordinance No. 425-2023 or the “Agricultural Emergency Trust Fund,” which aims to help those affected by the calamity to recover and restart their livelihoods. Also present at the said program were Board Members Hon. Maria Rosario Eufrosina P. Nisce, Hon. Teresita O. Garcia, Hon. Aaron Kyle M. Pinzon, and Hon. Joyce M. Abuan; Bauang Mayor Ma. Clarissa T. Lee; and staff of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist led by Marcelo Otanes.