SAN FERNANDO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Malacanang has declared anew March 2 this year as a special non-working holiday in La Union province to mark the celebration of its 171st founding anniversary.

On Feb. 23, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea signed Proclamation No. 1105 which read, "It is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of La Union be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medialdea cautioned the residents "to celebrate and participate with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures."

To adhere to this, Adamor Dagang, provincial information and tourism officer, said most of this year's activities will be held online such as LU Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Webinar, Launching of Bougainvillea Propagation Project, La Union Skills Olympics, and Launching of the LOVE La Union Digital Travel and Tourism Fair, among others.

"This time we are harnessing the power of social media to engage our kaprobinsiaan," Dagang said.

Meanwhile, in his anniversary greeting, La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III acknowledged the challenges to include natural disasters that the province has overcome in the past years.

"These challenges have indeed made us tougher. They established our character and strengthened our will power," Ortega said.

Further, the governor expounded on the theme of this year's occasion which is "La Union La Unay."

"We say 'La Union, La Unay' for we express in joyful celebration our deep pride and honor for our own home," he said.

Unlike the previous celebrations, the annual Mutia ti La Union will be deferred this year.

Instead, highlights of the March 2 occasion will be the conduct of Online Dawn Watch Prayer, flag raising ceremony, relaunching of La Union History Book Events and Commissioning of 1922-2021 Book Sequel Writing, and I Love La Union, I Love My Barangay Program Launch. (JCR/VHS/JPD, PIA La Union)