La Union LGUs gets cleanest, safest, greenest P9M projects

By Erwin Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY – Seven local government units and 3 famous inland water destinations in the province of La Union received Php. 9-million worth of environment and agri-tourism related projects for being adjudged as cleanest, safest, and greenest award held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol Wednesday afternoon.

The awarding ceremony is in-lined for environment month celebration with a theme: “beat plastic pollution” conducted by the office of the provincial government – environment natural resources division.

The provincial government presented the recognition to the municipalities that garnered the highest scores after a validation of composite team in 2017, considering several criteria in general cleanliness of the municipality, urban space greening, support systems for environmental management, and protection and people’s participation.

Public safety and order was also considered during the visit which included indicators and measures on crime statistics and implementation of crime, drug and road hazard prevention programs.

For the 1st to 3rd class municipality category, Agoo town bagged the first place bringing home P1.5M worth of projects, while second place is Naguilian with P1M, and third place is Bacnotan with Php. 500,000.

In the 4th to 5th class category, San Gabriel bagged the first place bringing home P1M, followed by Caba as second and Santol as third which they bring home P750,000 and P500,000 respectively.

A special award and citation was given to the City of San Fernando, La Union which received by Mayor Hermenegildo Dong Gualberto together with City Environment Natural Resources Office staff for bringing home Php. 1.5M worth to be used for environment and agri-tourism related project fund.

Meanwhile, winners of the cleanest inland bodies of water are: first place – ‘Tapuakan’ River in Pugo town with P1M worth of projects, trailed by second placer the ‘Tangadan’ falls in San Gabriel town with P 750,000, and third is Bagulin River in Bagulin town with P500,000 worth.

The awarding was graced by Assistant Secretary Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, field operations-Luzon, who was been the guest of honor and representative of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.