DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Oct. 21 (PIA) -- The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has identified Dumaguete City’s Presidencia to turn into the Negros Island Regional Museum.

Mayor Antonio Remollo and NMP agreed to undertake the P50 million restoration project, which if completed, will feature artifacts, relics, and antique collections with local historical significance for Negros Oriental and the region.

A team from the NMP led by Deputy Director General for Museums Dr. Ana Maria Theresa Labrador has inspected the newly-restored Presidencia that will soon be inaugurated and operate as the Negros Island Regional Museum in the city. 

The Dumaguete Presidencia, built in 1937, was designed by the great Filipino architect Juan Arellano.

According to Labrador, the structure is the only one of its kind, medium size pre-war building in the entire Philippines.

Expected to fully open early next year, the Negros Island Regional Museum is proposed to feature in the ground floor the natural history of Negros Oriental in geology, zoology, and botany.

Meanwhile, the 2nd floor of the museum will exhibit architectural arts, archeology, and built heritage.

This restoration project is in line with the objective of Remollo to make Dumaguete City a tourist destination for heritage lovers and provide the next generation with a better appreciation of the city's rich culture, tradition, and heritage. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from CPIO)