Center for Pangasinan Studies finally institutionalized

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=904955
• Monday, July 18, 2016

(PNA), LAP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 18 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Pangasinan has finally institutionalized the Center for Pangasinan Studies (CPS).

This, after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), on its second regular session, passed the ordinance “Establishing the Center for Pangasinan Studies (CPS) and appropriating funds therefor.”

Provincial Ordinance 1-2016, authored by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., stated that the CPS is deemed to play an important role in the development of Pangasinan through a wide range of areas of study about the province.

The CPS, the ordinance stated will serve as repository of documents, researches, artifacts, printed materials, and media materials on Pangasinan.

The Center is also geared in leading the collection, documentation, preservation, publication, and dissemination of materials to promote historical, economic, political, and cultural studies; to serve as venue for discussion of issues related to the province; to bring together HEIs (Higher Educational Institutions) government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and advocates to promote and develop the province; and to enhance the capacities and capabilities of HEIs, local government units, CSOs, and other stakeholders in research, development, and innovations.

Specifically, the roles of the CPS include the conduct of workshops, conferences, and other capability-building programs to equip students, researchers, faculty, and librarians with skills to promote Pangasinan; initiate inter-university and interdisciplinary research; collect, preserve, and translate old documents, among other pertinent materials; set-up exhibits on Pangasinan history, culture, and arts; and establish linkage with agencies and organizations for grants and partnerships.

The CPS, in collaboration with the HEIs, also eyes to offer diploma or degree on Pangasinan studies; and to advocate the integration of Pangasinan studies in the curriculum of secondary and HEIs and publish modules and textbooks for teachers.

One of the prime movers of the project, Rafael Baraan, in an interview after he appeared before the Board, said that the Center is “an offshoot of the arrangement between the provincial government and the University of the Philippines (UP) to work together in certain areas of governance.”

The CPS, with the technical and academic expertise of UP, aims to tackle different issues such as on environment, agriculture, and politics, he added.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the provincial government and the UP aimed at planning and implementing projects to preserve, promote, and propagate the language and culture of Pangasinan through the CPS was signed on June 18, 2015.

The creation of the CPS is also anchored on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by and among the province, UP, and five higher educational institutions (HEIs) signifying the parties willingness to form a consortium to identify and conduct research on Pangasinan.

According to Calimlim, the CPS will be governed by a Board chaired by the Governor and co-chaired by a representative of the UP, with the members representing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Colegio de Dagupan, Lyceum Northwestern University, University of Luzon, University of Pangasinan - PHINMA, and Virgen Milagros University Foundation.

The Board shall recommend an Executive Director to head the Executive Committee to be appointed by the Governor, who shall run the day-to-day affairs of the Centre, assisted by the administrative staff.

The Committee shall be composed of four committees namely Research and Development, Education and Information, Capability Building, and Resource Mobilization.

The provincial government shall include in its regular Annual Budget an appropriation of not less than P3,000,000 for the maintenance, operation, and other purposes of the Center.

The CPS is located at the Bengson-Yuson Ancestral House in Lingayen.