The State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) 2024 of the Municipality of Bauang, delivered by Municipal Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III, of the Municipality of Bauang, was held last September 17, 2024 at the Bauang North Central School (BNCS) Sports Complex. It was the 115th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Bayan.

In attendance were Municipal Vice Mayor Henry A. Bacurnay, Jr., the Sangguniang Bayan Members (SBM), the Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan Ms. Rosalie J. Dout, former Mayor Menchie C. Lomboy-De Guzman, M.D., Sangguniang Bayan Office Officials and Employees, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bauang Department Heads and Employees, Barangay Officials, and line agencies. The event’s media partners were also present, namely Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region I, 101.7 Love Radio La Union, 78.3 Aksyon Radyo La Union, and Radyo Pilipinas Agoo.

Some of the highlights of the SOMA were:

For Food Security:
Farmers and fisherfolks were given tribute, the Agricultural Training Center was constructed, the Bantay Dagat was reogranized to protect coastal resources, and Bauang was awarded Top 1 in Economic Dynamism Regionwide.

For Health Services:
Rural Health Unit II in Barangay Payocpoc Sur was opened.
The Teen Center was constructed.

For Education:
We have a literacy rate of 98.57%.
Bauang Community College is being planned.

For Housing and Resettlement:
A housing program in Barangay Bawanta is being constructed.

For Peace, Order, and Security:
Our Local Government Unit of Bauang is a Drug-Free Workplace.
Our 39 barangays are drug-cleared.

For Employment:
76 locals were sent to the Seasonal Workers Program in South Korea.

For the Environment:
Bauang is a Smart, Green Town.
We have partnered with Greenpeace for “Kuha sa Tingi” refill program.
We have mandated Regular Siphoning.
We have signed the Climate Emergency Declaration

For Participatory Governance:
The Bauang Coalition of Non-Government Organizations
(BCNGO) which is composed of 80 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), was given recognition.

For Local Legislation:
We have the Ordinance “Bauang Environmental Fee System,” the Joint Venture Code, the Bauang Investments and Incentives Code, and the Bauang Financial Assistance Ordinance.

It was emphasized that Bauang is ready for Cityhood.

After the SOMA, a client-testimonial video was shown to the audience. Mayor Martin De Guzman also held a press conference with the event media partners.