SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the largest state university and college in the Philippines, has granted La Union 1st District Representative Pablo C. Ortega the honorary degree Doctor of Public Administration for his exemplary accomplishments in public service.
“In recognition of your exemplary accomplishments, meritorious service to society and humankind, and untarnished reputation in the fields of management and administration of public services, the PUP Executive Committee has agreed to grant you the honorary degree,” Dr. Emanuel De Guzman, PUP President, said in his letter to Ortega.
De Guzman and PUP officials will confer the degree to Ortega during the Midyear 2017-2018 commencement exercises on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at SM Cinema 5, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Ortega will serve as guest of honor and speaker of the graduation ceremony.
“I am deeply honoured with this recognition. I thank the officials of PUP for granting me this honorary degree,” Ortega said.
Among the notable accomplishments of Ortega when he was Mayor of San Fernando City, La Union is the tremendous reduction of poverty incidence, from 14-percent down to only 3.7-percent.
With the various achievements as Mayor, through the concerted efforts of city officials and employees and the residents of the city, San Fernando was conferred the Hall of Fame Award for Strategy Execution in Boston USA given by Palladium, a Harvard-based foundation.
During his term, the City landed in the top 10 of the Most Competitive City nationwide and the City was recognized as the Most Business-Friendly City.
Ortega, who is on his first term as La Union Representative, served as San Fernando Mayor from 2007 to 2016.
Ortega, from a well-known political clan in La Union, entered politics in 1982 when he won as chairman of Barangay 4 in San Fernando. He served 10 years as barangay executive until he was elected municipal councilor from 1992 to 1998. He was provincial board member from 1998 to 2004 and city councilor from 2004 to 2007 before he became Mayor.
As member of the 17th Congress, he is Vice Chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and North Luzon Growth Quadrangle.
As of the moment, Ortega has maintained his perfect attendance in sessions of the House of Representatives. Jun Elias, Jr./Northbound Philippines News