SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- The opening of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Extension Campus in Pandan town here will pave the way for more opportunities among the locals.
University of the Philippines (UP) President lawyer Angelo A. Jimenez and UP Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano, during the inauguration program, committed to sharing the expertise of the UP System in the province through the opening of the extension campus.
Jimenez mentioned possible extension work and collaboration with the University of Antique (UA) on various research and extension services.
"We are very proud to be partners of the local government units, ipagmamalaki ko talaga itong extension project na ito," he said.
Jimenez also noted that the inauguration of the project was a sign of the permanent presence of UP in Antique, noting their desire to be part of the transformation of the lives of people in Pandan and the whole Panay in general.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, in whose initiatives and in partnership with UP the said project was realized, said that the establishment of the UP Antique Extension Campus seeks to provide formal education and award degrees, as well as training opportunities to the local workforce, contributing to the province's thriving economy.
“This 900-square-meter three-story building has classrooms, offices, training spaces, and a conference room. These will catalyze engagements among constituent universities in the UP System, local academic institutions, and LGU partners, among others,” Legarda conveyed in her virtual keynote speech.
“The establishment of this campus will also propel the preservation of our heritage and culture, as well as work with other institutions in the province to ensure that our rich biodiversity is protected,” she added.
The Antiqueña senator likewise underscored the establishment of the UP campus as a key in implementing several educational programs that focus on fisheries, economics, and finance, noting the development of 33 training modules in these particular areas of expertise that will be made accessible to the local communities in Antique and neighboring areas.
Likewise, Mayor engineer Tomas U. Estoperez of Pandan town said that the opening of UPV Extension campus in Pandan was a historic day for the "Pandananons" and the Province of Antique in general.
“It doesn't only mean democratizing access to quality tertiary education but also opening more opportunities for the people, especially in the coastal barangays to learn more about taking care of the marine resources and improving their socio-economic condition through sustainable practices,” he said.
Estoperez is referring to the research, training programs, and other educational activities that the locals could avail of with the opening of the UPV extension campus.
He likewise thanked all those who have helped in the realization of the project from the national and local officials, the UP system, and the donor of the lot, and the Bautista Family of Pandan.
Mayor Mary Jean N. Te of Libertad, whose town is adjacent to Pandan, also shared optimism that UPV extension campus could help the young generations, citing her interest in the open university program of the UP system.
“It could pave the way for towns in northern Antique, including Aklan, to avail of the services of the University of the Philippines-Visayas,” she added.
For President Pablo s. Crespo, Jr. of the UA, this undertaking could open more collaboration between UA and UP in terms of training, research and extension services.
UP Chancellor Camposano, for his part, shared the immediate plans after the opening of the extension campus, such as training programs in various fields like entrepreneurship, sustainability, and courses in fisheries in the near future.
Camposano also discussed the long-term plan to make the extension campus in Pandan a key part of the institutional growth of the UP. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique)