LINGAYE, Pangasinan – An educational facility that is expected to help preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Pangasinan and its people will soon rise in Dagupan City.
This developed as former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR), a son of Pangasinan, led the groundbreaking rites for the construction of a three-storey library building within the University of Pangasinan – PHINMA campus in Dagupan City recently.
The country’s former President was joined in by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., PHINMA Corporation President and CEO Ramon Del Rosario Jr., former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani and 6th District Board Member Ranjit Ramos-Shahani during the groundbreaking rites along with former members of Ramos’ Cabinet that included former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan, and officials of the host University.
FVR, in his speech, stressed that said facility will benefit Pangasinenses, particularly students on their research ventures, as he cited that Pangasinan under the helm of leadership of Governor Espino has been transformed into “an aggressive and forward-looking province.”
Set to be inaugurated in March 2016, the library to be named in honor of FVR will house an extensive collection of books and memorabilia of the former chief executive of the country to show a glimpse of his life and illustrious career as a civil engineer, author, solider, academic leader and public servant.
The newest library in the province will be a source of inspiration to the students and the community as they immerse in the life and leadership of former President Ramos and the rich heritage of Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, the Pangasinan Studies Center (PSC) to be established later on through the partnership of the provincial government and University of the Philippines (UP) in cooperation with the consortium of universities and colleges in the province shall reinforce “a comprehensive research for the preservation of Pangasinan culture and language.”
The establishment of PSC that will lead into a wide-ranging (cultural) mapping of places, events and personalities, including customs and traditions in the province is stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by UP President Alfredo Pascual and Governor Espino on June 18.
