LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas voiced his support of having more publications that promote Benguet identity and history.
In his message during the celebration of the 35th Cordillera Month at the Provincial Capitol on July 13, Governor Diclas expressed his hope for a policy creating the Provincial Book Development Board (PBDB) following the successful implementation of the project “Kaapuan: Benguet Heritage Series,” a publication of a coffee table book containing stories and narratives about Benguet, which was funded by the Provincial Government.
“We hope to have an executive order or an ordinance to constitute the Provincial Book Development Board (PBDB) for the development of publications on the rich history and culture of the province of Benguet,” the governor added saying the publication of books such as the Kaapuan: Benguet Heritage Series has to be sustained.
Once the PBDB is instituted, funds will be earmarked for the publication of reading materials promoting Benguet culture, values, practices, folktales, and history. This will also help grow the local book publishing industry.
According to Dr. Ryan Guinaran, Executive Assistant to Governor Diclas, the institutionalization of the PBDB will ensure production of books at least annually. Initial ideas include providing publication grants for unpublished manuscripts from educational institutions or from any individual in the province or designating writers and researchers from the Provincial Government to do compilations of unprinted Benguet narratives or stories.
Further, Dr. Guinaran added that once the province has the PBDB, linkage with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) can be established for more publication grants.
By SAP Jr.