UP Visayas Extension Campus in Antique launched

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The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Extension Campus in Antique formally opened its doors to Antiqueños and nearby communities after the inauguration ceremony in Brgy. Nauring, Pandan, Antique on August 25, 2023.

An event of national significance, the launch had Senate President Pro Tempore Loren B. Legarda as the keynote speaker who delivered her message through a video, addressing officials of the UP System, UPV, and local government units (LGU), along with constituents of the University, community representatives, program partners, and other stakeholders.

In her message, Sen. Legarda said “it fills me with great pride to witness the successful realization of our endeavors, but we will not simply rest on our laurels.”

“We will work harder to ensure that this UP Visayas Antique campus will set the highest standards of tertiary education in the province and the rest of the region,” Legarda continued.

The Senator said 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.

The 900-square-meter, three-story structure worth PhP50 million is the brainchild of Legarda.

UP President Angelo Jimenez, UP Regents Carl Ramota and Victoria Belegal, UP Vice Presidents Jose Fernando Alcantara, Abraham Acosta, Chancellor Clement Camposano, and former Chancellor Ricardo Babaran led the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Jimenez said that the inauguration of the extension campus is a permanent symbol of UP’s presence in Antique.

“We want to be a major part of the transformation of the lives of not only the people of Pandan… [but also] the entire region,” he said.

Antique Lone District Rep. Antonio Legarda, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, and Pandan Mayor Tomas Estoperez, Jr. led a long list of local government officials that graced the event. They were joined by heads of academic institutions led by Pres. Pablo Crespo of the University of Antique and DepEd Antique Supt. Dr. Nicasio S. Frio, among others.

The Bautista Family – Daughlet Bautista-Ordinario, Romeo T. Ordinario, and Yolanda Bautista-Batara — the main donors of the lot where the campus building stands, came to witness the event and receive the appreciation of the University. They likewise showed their renewed commitment to the Antique youth by offering a bigger portion of the lot adjacent to the campus to accommodate another structure for UPV Antique.

The Pandan Bay Youth Band together with their conductor, Reynan Manalastas, performed the Philippine national anthem and UP Naming Mahal, the University’s hymn to in the beginning and end of the program, respectively.

The inauguration of the new UPV campus in Pandan was matched by another announcement of Cong. Legarda for a Multipurpose Center and Pavilion that will complement the training programs of the campus. This initiative will be ensured by Sen. Legarda for 2024.

Chancellor Camposano acknowledged the initiative and efforts that ensured the realization of the new campus in Panay Island.

Dr. Harold Monteclaro, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, led the conduct of the successful event along with various committee members who put in an extra amount of effort. (AL Ramirez and Carlson Alelis/IPO)