Rep. De Venecia seeks segregation of WCES’ H.E. Bldg.
MACARTHUR COMMAND POST
FOURTH District Rep. Christopher de Venecia is seeking the segregation and preservation of of the historic Home Economics Building of the West Central Elementary School (WCES) that once served as the first command post of General Douglas MacArthur when he began the Liberation of Luzon in 1945.
He said the restoration of the MacArthur historical site will make a top tourist destination in Dagupan and Pangasinan.
De Venecia told newsmen he is scheduled to meet and discuss this project with Education Secretary Leonor Briones in Manila, as he warned that if the building is not segregated, tourists visiting will be hampered by WESC pupils’ activities in the area.
Knowing that Dagupan is a child-friendly city, he said it would not be beneficial to the children if their activities are affected by constant arrival of tourists visiting the MacArthur historical site.
“We are going for the zoning of the area because it is not right to mix tourists with the pupils as their safety and security and the mantra of Dagupan as a child-friendly city might be compromised,” he added.
De Venecia said he will lobby for the restoration of the MacArthur Park in Bonuan, which is the only place in Luzon where the monument of General Douglas MacArthur stands.
The park as well as MacArthur’s monument are now in decrepit state needing refurbishment befitting MacArthur as the liberator of the Philippines from four years of Japanese occupation.
But a potential drawback to this project is the fact that the MacArthur Park sits on a private land owned by the family of the late Major Moises Maramba, one of the veterans and heroes of World War II.
“We are now laying the groundwork administratively for these project sites while awaiting the big ticket projects to come to Dagupan,” he added.
De Venecia was referring to a boardwalk in Tondaligan Blue Beach and a Promenade along the Pantal River.
“I am happy working with Mayor Belen (Fernandez) and am supportive of her plan to make Dagupan the haven of tourists in the Fourth District, if not in the whole of Pangasinan,” De Venecia said.
The congressman is also eyeing the development of Mangaldan into an arts and wellness destination, San Fabian as an agro-tourism site, San Jacinto as site for adventure trail and agriculture and make additional initiative to boost Manaoag as pilgrimage center in the country.
The congressman said he wants to build a museum in Manaoag where the Lady of Manaoag will be showcased.
He said he needs to touch base with the other stakeholders, particularly from the private sector to help all these projects. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
