31/07/2026
..speaking Ilocano and wearing locally woven La Union silk, so we can bring visitors the culture behind our provinceโ growth.. itโs a strong start centered on unity, culture, and community-driven progress. โฅ๏ธ
Speaking Ilocano and wearing La Union silk, Gov. Ortega puts local first
By Frank Cimatu
July 29, 2026
La Union Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega made his first State of the Province Address on Tuesday memorable long before he outlined his administration's accomplishments.
He arrived wearing a silk barong that was unmistakably La Union. The garment, made from locally produced silk thread and woven by artisans in Bacnotan, reflected the province's growing sericulture industry. Ortega wore a similar barong during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address in Manila earlier this week.
The fabric was developed through the Sericulture Research and Development Institute of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, highlighting what the governor described as one of his administration's emerging industries.
Ortega also delivered most of his speech in Ilocano, in keeping with the province's Iloko Code under Provincial Ordinance No. 026-2012.
The ordinance recognizes Ilocano as an official provincial language alongside Filipino and English to preserve, promote and expand its use. It made La Union the first province in the country to adopt a comprehensive ordinance for its mother tongue.
Addressing about 600 guests at the Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Convention Center, Ortega anchored his speech on the theme "La Union, Agkaysa" ("La Union, Unite"), describing it as a call for unity and collective action.
He said his administration's development roadmap rests on five pillars: economic, social, infrastructure, environmental and institutional development.
Ortega said the province's progress depends on collaboration among its 20 local government units, congressional and party-list representatives, national government agencies, private sector partners, civil society organizations and local communities.
Agriculture remains one of La Union's key growth drivers, he said, noting that the province continues to be self-sufficient in rice production. He reported that about 20,000 farmers received fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs, while โฑ27 million worth of farm machinery was distributed under Republic Act 7171.
The governor also cited gains in trade and enterprise, reporting โฑ12 million in sales generated through national trade fairs conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry and another โฑ13 million in sales from the La Union Pasalubong Center, which supports 85 micro, small and medium enterprises.
He highlighted partnerships with the Taiwan Manila Economic and Cultural Office and the city government of San Juan to expand opportunities in education, employment, investment, tourism and trade.
In tourism, Ortega said more than 500,000 visitors traveled to La Union in 2025, generating about โฑ1 billion in receipts for hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
He also outlined major projects, including the La Union Health Hub, the San Fernando International Seaport, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway extension, the Bungol demonstration farm and new tourism facilities in San Juan, which he said would create jobs, improve connectivity and spur economic growth.
Ortega reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, partnerships with civil society and an open-door policy in governance.
"La Union's development is a shared achievement," Ortega said. "It reflects the collective efforts of government leaders, agencies, legislators, private sector partners, media organizations, local communities and every La Union resident working together toward a stronger, more resilient and progressive province."
๐ท Frank Cimatu
