WVSU repatriates cultural mapping inventories to Iloilo City, 3rd District municipalities

ILOILO CITY — West Visayas State University (WVSU) officially distributed 10 newly published volumes of cultural inventories to partner municipalities on May 21, 2026, at WVSU Quezon Hall. The turnover marks the repatriation of documented heritage — covering historical landmarks, local stories, and tangible and intangible cultural assets — back to the communities where they were gathered.

A total of 10 book volumes were handed over: one comprehensive volume for Iloilo City and nine dedicated volumes for each municipality in the 3rd District. The materials were received by their respective tourism officers.

Leading the distribution were key figures of the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) Project, spearheaded by Anna Razel L. Ramirez, project leader for administration from UP Visayas, and Dr. Mary Ann dela Vega, WVSU project coordinator. They were joined by various study leaders and university officials led by Dr. Bonna S. Palma, current dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Alexander Balsomo, former CAS dean.

This initiative is under the priority projects of the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda and supports the implementation of the Cultural Mapping Law. The activity served as an advance distribution to safeguard local pride and history ahead of the books’ formal launch on June 19, 2026.