Bangar, La Union – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) La Union joined the Lower Amburayan Development Corridor Caravan  (LADC) 2022 held in Bangar Municipal Covered Court, Bangar, La Union on September 22, 2022.

The LADC of the Regional Development Council 1 (RDC- 1), is an initiative to develop the Amburayan River and the communities surrounding the river with the coordination of the municipalities that encompasses along river. These nine (9) municipalities that composed the LADC include Alilem, Cervantes, Sigay, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Bangar, Santol and Sudipen in La Union and fifteen (15) line agencies of which DENR- I is one of the member agencies. The LADC aims to craft the LADC Strategic Plan and Investment Program which includes the projects for the river and the municipalities. Likewise, LADC also seeks to foster an environment of economic and social collaboration across the member- municipalities to attain the shared vision where no one is left behind. This complements the existing plans in the region.

In order to deliver government basic services to the LADC and to inform the people regarding the LADC Strategic Plan, various government agencies in region- I were invited in the LADC Caravan 2022 with the theme: “LADCaravan 2022: Nagkakaisa tungo sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay Para sa  Karayan Amburayan.” One- stop- shop of various government line agencies and local government units (LGUs) were put up in the Bangar Covered Court to serve the public led by the DENR- I and PENRO La Union where 220 endemic seedlings that include Banaba, cashew, Narra and Cupang were distributed which benefitted 67 individuals while IEC materials were disseminated. Also in attendance are LDAC member line agencies led by Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Population Commission (POPCOM), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and LGU- Bangar.

Other highlight of the Caravan was the launching of LADC Strategic Plan and Investment Program of which LGU head executives of La Union led by Governor Raphaela Veronica Ortega- David and Governor Jeremias Singson of Ilocos Sur delivered their respective solidarity messages while National Economic Development Authority, Region- I (NEDA- I) Regional Director Nestor G. Rillon delivered the keynote address. Bangar Municipal Mayor Joy Merin, being the host municipality, welcomed and thanked the representatives of the participating line agencies who were present during the significant event. (GCG- RSCIG)