UP Visayas (UPV) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region (DENR) VI signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the documentation of natural heritage in the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras Project on June 3, 2024. On the same day, another Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) VI was also signed at the UPV Performing Arts Hall, Iloilo City campus to extend the cultural mapping in Negros Occidental Province.
Dr. Clement C. Camposano, UPV Chancellor and Dir. Livino B. Duran, DENR VI Regional Executive Director, signed the MOA to collaborate in the areas with natural heritage of cultural significance, which is one domain that needs to be documented in the cultural mapping. As the lead agency in the protection of our environment and natural heritage, the agreement emphasized the role of DENR in guiding and extending assistance to our cultural mappers in locating and documenting the natural assets of Western Visayas.
Dr. Victor De Gracia Jr., DepEd VI Assistant Regional Director, represented Dr. Ramir B. Uytico of DepEd VI in the MOA signing. Thus, it will usher in the collaboration of these two entities and the Province of Negros Occidental for the cultural mapping of all the municipalities in the province.
Present at the event were Forester Raul L. Lorilla, ARD-DENR VI, Mr. Raymond Alunan, Representative of Negros Occidental Tourism Office; and focal persons from various SUCs: Prof. Nenia N. Bohulano (ASU), Dr. Leo Andrew Biclar (CAPSU), Dr. Bernardo G. Cagasan (GSU), Dr. Eric De la Vega (ISAT-U), Prof. Genevieve S. Palmares (ISUFST), Dr. Grace C. Pastolero (UA), and Dr. Mary Ann M. De la Vega (WVSU). Also present during the event were overall project leaders Ms. Anna Razel L. Ramirez and Ms. Anthea Redison, and UPV project leaders of the various domains.
The UPV officials present included Associate Dean Danilo Ortillo of the UPV College of Arts and Sciences; Dean Rodelio Subade of the UPV Graduate School; Prof. Edelia Braga of the UP High School in Iloilo; UPV Legal Officers, Atty. Nellie Jo P. Aujero-Regalado and Atty. Richard Iquiña; Budget Office Chief, Ms. Arlene Avanceña; and Cash Office Chief, Ms. Maureen Kay Ongo, among others.
Dr. Clement C. Camposano welcomed all delegates and underscored the importance of cultural inventory and how it is being carried out in the community. “Culture is plural. Develop an awareness of this plurality and fluidity in the conduct of cultural mapping,” the Chancellor said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ramirez presented the project brief and emphasized that the CMPG project is a two-year collaborative undertaking between UPV, state universities and colleges, the LGUs of the five provinces of Panay and Guimaras, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda. The cultural mapping project will be extended to Negros Occidental, thus, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. “It will be undertaken with the Department of Education Region VI and will be employing research assistants,” she said.
Dir. Duran of DENR VI pledged in his message that Region VI-DENR is prepared to assist UPV and the cultural mapping team in the conduct of the cultural mapping in Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. ARD De Gracia Jr. delivered a brief message emphasizing his belief in strengthening our roots and ensuring a healthy culture through cultural mapping initiatives as they contribute towards nation-building.
Formally closing the ceremony, Prof. Martin G. Genodepa, program leader, encouraged all the attendees and cultural workers to do the cultural mapping well. He hopes that the fellowship formed in the project would continue as it progresses.
The CMPG, with the Province of Negros Occidental, a region-wide cultural mapping project, is a priority endeavor of Sen. Loren B. Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts for the 19th Congress and in compliance with Republic Act 11961 or the Cultural Mapping Law.
