The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School (USTGS), through its Center for the Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET) and the Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development (USTGS-CCPED), organized the Conservation Management Plan Training held at the Westown Hotel in Iloilo from April 17-20, 2018.
The training program was carried out under the auspices of the United States embassy. The program was conceptualized by the CCCPET Director, Assoc. Prof. Eric Zerrudo, and Edwin Raymund Vergara, Program and Budget Specialist of the US Embassy, assisted by the CCPED Director, Assoc. Prof. Jocelyn Agcaoili. Some 42 participants from all over the Philippines were selected by CCCPET and the Embassy based on the project proposals presented. The attendees were composed of architects, engineers, tourism officers and technical specialists/cultural workers within the heritage sector from various local government units in the Philippines.
Resource speakers included Prof. Regalado Trota Jose, Arch. Michael Manalo, Dr. Cheek Fadriquela, Dr. Lessandro Garciano, Ms. Christina Paterno, Fr. Roberto Sanchez, Engr. Kirk Kennedy Yu and USTGS CCCPET Director Zerrudo.
UST Graduate School Dean Marilu Rañosa-Madrunio, PhD led the UST officials in welcoming US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who was the guest of honor. This is the first time that the CCCPET is holding such training under the auspices of the US Embassy. According to Amb. Kim, the US Embassy intends to continue with the collaborative project on a long-term basis.
CCCPET has helped countless people and LGUs in the country in the preservation of their cultural and historical assets. CCCPET begins with what people have to say, what they do and why they do the things they do. But in all the mapping projects that the CCCPET undertakes, it is clear that their ultimate purpose is to help preserve the identities of the people from the different regions of the Philippines.
