LA UNION, Philippines — The Rosario District Hospital (RDH) remains committed to healthcare excellence after being recognized by Newborn Screening Center- Northern Luzon as one of the top-performing newborn care facilities in Northern Luzon under the Level 1 & 2 Government category. The recognition is awarded to accredited Newborn Screening Facilities that comply with the standards and criteria set by the Newborn Screening Center-Northern Luzon (NSC-NL) in Batac, Ilocos Norte. For the second quarter of 2025, RDH recorded a total of 58 live births that underwent newborn screening for more than 24 hours after delivery. The hospital received commendation for recording zero errors in reporting and for submitting high-quality specimens for screening. This award is a testament to La Union: Agkaysa! and the hospital’s unwavering commitment to quality healthcare service and exceptional leadership.

    LA UNION, Philippines — The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) strengthened its support for coffee farmers as it turned over the province’s first processing facility to the Baguionas Farmers and Coffee Growers Association (BFCGA) in Brgy. Libbo, Bagulin, La Union on September 4,  2025, which is seen to boost coffee production and trade within the province and nationwide. Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega led the turn-over ceremony and signing of the deed of donation of the facility with the Local Government Unit (LGU) Bagulin and the BFCGA. The Provincial Officials and Municipal Officials also witnessed the significant event, affirming their full support for the local coffee industry. “You have my full support for the coffee industry of Bagulin. Together, we will elevate this industry so that our province earns recognition not only across the Philippines but on the global stage as a premier coffee producer. And this is just the beginning, there is still so much more we will offer for you,” Gov. Mario said. The establishment of the 78 square meters facility aims to empower the coffee farmers and growers in the area to enhance their efficiency, quality control of products, and strengthen their competitiveness in the market. The members of the association, mostly composed of robusta coffee farmers from the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Community, are optimistic with the new opportunity to boost their livelihood as they can now process their locally-harvested coffee beans into high-quality Robusta coffee products and increase their income. BFCGA President Mr. Lapicto Bugtong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Provincial Government as he assured to maintain the facility. “We are truly grateful for the facilities provided to us by the PGLU as they greatly contribute to our livelihood especially for our members and the community. They serve as a source of income and a means of support for our daily lives,” Bugtong remarked. One of the members, Annie Wawes, who has been a member for 7 years shared that the processing center will be a significant help for them as it has made the processing of their coffee products more accessible and convenient. “We no longer need to go far to process our harvest, because it is already close to where we plant. This is also a big help as an additional source of income for us,” she said. At present, the association has 33 farmer-members, who work tirelessly to improve their products as they prepare to strengthen and expand their operation to meet the demand for high-quality coffee. Members of the association have planted 30, 550 coffee trees across 30.55 hectares of land yielding at around 400 kg. of green coffee cherries annually. “When they found out that there will be a constructed processing center, many people became interested in becoming members,” he added. PGLU funded the coffee processing facility with a total budget of Php 2,995,770 under the Republic Act 7171. The facility started its construction on November 18, 2024 and completed on May 29, 2025. The association now supplies coffee beans to well-known establishments in San Juan.      

          LA UNION, Philippines — The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) has turned-over 40 units of Multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) for the barangays of the Municipality of Luna, La Union on September 2, 2025. Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega led the distribution of MPVs and personally received by Mayor Gary Pinzon along with the Barangay Officials and Sangguniang Bayan Members during a turn-over ceremony at the New Motorpool, Brgy. Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union. In his message, Gov. Mario emphasized the importance of MPVs in empowering the barangays to be proactive and deliver better quality of public service to the constituents. “Hirap na hirap itong mga barangay na magdala ng service sa kanilang constituents lalo sa tyempo ng emergency at bagyo kaya time to time they need the vehicle for purposes of emergency, now nandiyan na ang vehicle they can now use of it in performing their duties better,” the Governor said. Gov. Mario also urged the barangay captains to only use the MPVs in official functions and during emergencies. This initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to equip barangays with capabilities to respond immediately to emergency situations, boost peace and order, and enhance their disaster preparedness. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members, led by Vice Governor Eric Sibuma, also graced the event to extend their full support to the barangays. The Governor likewise acknowledged the efforts of the SP and PGLU offices in making the MPV distribution possible. Mayor Pinzon and Barangay Captains extends their utmost gratitude to the PGLU and committed to ensure proper care and maintenance of the vehicles. “Malaking tulong ito para sa amin, isa itong blessing sa amin at rest assured na ang mga MPVs na ito ay magsisilbi sa lahat ng constituents namin para sa kaunlaran ng bayan namin na Luna,” he said. The PGLU and the Local Government Unit of Luna demonstrated #LaUnionAgkaysa by providing necessary resources to the barangays to serve their constituents effectively.

LA UNION, Philippines — The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in partnership with the La Union Association of the Deaf (LUAD), successfully spearheaded a three-day Disability Sensitivity and Sign Language Training for frontline service providers in the province. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs), Persons with Disability Affairs Officers (PDAOs), and designated PDAO Focal Persons from the different Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province were invited to learn the fundamentals of English Sign Language at the PSWDO Conference Room, City of San Fernando, La Union held on August 25–27, 2025. In a message of Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, delivered by Executive Assistant V Mr. Denver Badua, he encouraged the participants to integrate disability-inclusive practices in all aspects of local governance and uphold equity, justice, and respect for human rights across the Province of La Union. PSWDO Head Ranilo P. Ipac also challenged the participants to actively safeguard and advocate for the rights of Persons with Disability. The training aimed to develop the capacities of government employees to effectively communicate and engage with the deaf community, in support of the province’s efforts to promote inclusive public service.

LA UNION, Philippines — The Office of Cong. Dante S. Garcia has distributed medical assistance to 2,180 residents of the second district of La Union from the first to third week of August, through the Dumanon Serbisyo Gobyerno (DSG) Medical Assistance Program. Cong. Garcia led the financial aid distribution to the recipients, mostly cancer and dialysis patients, from the municipalities of Caba, Pugo, Tubao, Aringay, Agoo, Rosario, Santo Tomas, Naguilian, Burgos, Bagulin and Bauang. The DSG Medical Assistance provides financial aid to ailing constituents in support to their medical treatment and medication. This initiative of Cong. Garcia reaffirms his commitment to compassionate public service and in support to La Union: Agkaysa in improving the quality of life of the provincemates.  

LA UNION, Philippines — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union led by Vice Governor Eric Sibuma is pushing for an ordinance that shall require telecommunication companies to install gasoline-powered generator sets in their cell sites across La Union. This legislative initiative comes after Typhoon Emong crippled communication lines in the province. First District Board Member Gerard G. Ostrea stressed that the lack of power supply during the typhoon caused the breakdown of communication, challenging the mobilization of response assets during the typhoon despite disaster preparedness measures. Ex-Officio Board Member Ramon Guio A. Ortega Jr. shared the same sentiments. He also cited forced evacuations at the local and barangay levels as among the challenges during the typhoon, urging residents to cooperate with authorities in future disasters.

ILOCOS REGION, Philippines — “Our country is very beautiful. There’s so much to learn about it.” This was what Senator Alan Peter Cayetano had to say during his visit to the Ilocos Region on August 21, 2025. Joined by his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, the senator spent the holiday visiting the cities of Laoag and Vigan. Cayetano, visibly impressed by the region’s charm, encouraged his followers to explore more of their own country. He also emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to make the Philippines more accessible to tourists. “We can learn a lot by traveling in our own country. The question is how to make it more accessible — fix the roads, airports, seaports so the rest of the world can see it,” he said on Thursday afternoon via Facebook livestream. The couple, together with friends, made the trip a productive one — combining public service, education, and advocacy for tourism. As chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Cayetano met with officials of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), including MMSU President Julius Manzano Jr. They were also joined by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, who comes from the region. “Earlier, we were in Laoag and had a very, very fruitful get-to-know meeting, but also a sense of what CHED Chairperson Shirley and MMSU President Sir Julius wanted to do,” the senator said. “And of course Lani with our SK,” he added, referring to his and Mayor Lani’s visit in Laoag with the Taguig Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leadership summit being held in the city. Later in the day, the Cayetanos traveled to Vigan City, where Senator Cayetano is set to stay for the weekend to shoot episodes of ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda,’ a public service program he co-hosts with his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano. In addition to providing legal education and advice, the show will highlight the rich culture and beauty of the Ilocos Region, showcasing its food, heritage sites, and current social issues. “We’re interested in tourism all over the Philippines. I just want to emphasize our different talents, beauty, strengths and weaknesses. It’s like one whole that is made up of many parts,” the senator said. “From Batanes to Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur all the way to Mindanao, Zamboanga, to Sulu — our country is very beautiful,” he added. Learn from history to guide the youth and nation’s future During his visit to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said history and heritage must be kept alive, especially for the youth who will carry the country forward. Speaking in his CIA 365 with Kuya Alan Facebook live session on August 21, Cayetano reminded Filipinos that reflecting on the past is vital to avoiding mistakes and instilling faith and values in future generations. “Ang taong hindi alam ang kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paruroonan. It’s biblical — paulit-ulit po [na binaggit sa] sa Old Testament na ituro sa mga anak at susunod na generation ang kabutihan ng Panginoon, ang batas, ang tama at ang mali,” he said. The senator added that no nation is perfect, pointing out that even the United States had to endure turbulent times and admit mistakes in its history. Cayetano also connected his reflections on history with the importance of tourism, noting that cultural appreciation can help the youth embrace their identity. He cited City of Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, who hopes to encourage more young Taguigueños to experience Philippine heritage. “The younger Taguigeños are, the more we can learn about tourism, especially na sa Metro Manila, but we can also do much about improving Taguig as a site for tourism, international and local,” he said.

BAUANG, La Union, Philippines — Sa ikalawang pagkakataon, matagumpay na naisagawa ang Coastal Clean-Up Drive sa Isla Solomon sa pangunguna ng Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., katuwang ang Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) ng Bauang sa pamumuno ni Mr. Marc Alvin Garcia, noong Agosto 19, 2025, Layunin ng aktibidad na ito na mapanatili ang kalinisan at mapangalagaan ang ating kapaligiran, lalo na ang mga dalampasigan at yamang-dagat. Nakibahagi rin sa gawaing ito ang iba’t ibang ahensya at institusyon tulad ng LINK, DTI, PGENRO, BFAR, MENRO Bauang, NCIP, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Bauang, BFP Bauang, BJMP Bauang, at mga kinatawan mula sa iba’t ibang Municipal Departments. Ang sama-samang pagtutulungan ng mga ahensiya at lokal na pamahalaan ay patunay ng mas pinaigting na pagkilos tungo sa isang malinis, ligtas, at maayos na kapaligiran para sa lahat. Ang ganitong inisyatibo ay lubos na sinusuportahan ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Bauang sa pangunguna ni Mayor Ma. Clarissa “Manang Bong” T. Lee, bilang bahagi ng patuloy na adhikain ng bayan tungo sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan at sa kapakanan ng susunod na henerasyon. Lubos ang pasasalamat ng LGU Bauang sa lahat ng katuwang, organisasyon, at ahensiyang nakiisa upang maisakatuparan ang makabuluhang gawaing ito para sa ating Inang Kalikasan.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Governor Ramon V. Guico III, patuloy na isinasagawa ng Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) ang Regular Job Fair para matulungan ang mga job seekers sa probinsya. May kabuuang 18 na local at overseas companies ang nakiisa sa Job Fair kung saan 3,357 bakanteng trabaho mula skilled work, clerical positions at managerial roles ang inalok sa mga job seekers, noong Agosto14. Nagkaroon din ng one-stop-shop services ng PhilHealth, SSS, PRC at Department of Migrant Workers sa mga job seekers at returning OFWS. Mula January 2025, umabot na sa 3,618 Pangasinense ang nabigyan ng trabaho dahil sa Regular Job Fair at local recruitment na isinasagawa ng PESO sa probinsya. Siniguro ng PESO na magtutuloy ang gagawing Job Fair at Local Recruitment activities sa LGUs katuwang ang mga local at overseas companies upang matulungan ang mga Pangasinense na makahanap ng trabaho. (Trisha Gayle Chavaria, Ervin Alcantara|PIMRO)