The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Extension Facility in Antique together with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government unit of Antique held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion and operationalization of the facility last March 10, 2025 at Brgy. Nauring, Pandan, Antique. This was graced by Sen. Loren Legarda, the local government of Antique and the UPV Community, headed by Chancellor Clement C. Camposano, PhD.
Engr. Tomas U. Estoperez, Jr., Municipal Mayor of Pandan, Antique, welcomed everyone who served as witnesses to the groundbreaking ceremony and expressed his gratitude to Engr. Bernadette Betsy B. Uy, District OIC Engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Antique District Engineering Office, who gave the project briefer in lieu of DPWH VI Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel, CESE.
The expansion will feature a 2-storey building with a total area of 945.50 sq.m.The ground floor will feature a 180-person capacity function hall, lobby, audiovisual room, and public comfort rooms. Meanwhile, the second floor will have 11 rooms with a toilet and bath for in-house guests and students. The scope of work of this project will be 30 million pesos under the FY 2024 GAA.
The groundbreaking was headed by Sen. Legarda and Chancellor Camposano together with Engr. Uy, Mayor Estoperez, UPV Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, and a representative from AD Pendon Construction.
Chancellor Camposano highlighted the importance of having a strong support system from the province of Antique, which will not only secure but help the University grow. Chancellor Camposano also provided an overview of the projects that were conducted in Antique and laid out future plans for the extension facility.
Sen. Legarda expressed her gratitude to UPV, an academy of learning as well as University of the people, that will teach and mentor the people about biodiversity, environmental conservation, and implementation of laws. She also showcased different plans and projects that can be worked out together with UP.
“Buong-buo ang Antique. There is cooperation and collaboration as well as true and authentic unity,” Legarda said. Sen. Legarda gave her full support for the expansion and improvement of the facility, which will benefit not only UP but ultimately, the people of Antique.
The UP Visayas Extension Campus in Antique continues to improve its services and facilities to provide a venue to different projects and activities that could benefit not only the people of Antique but also of different stakeholders in the region. (With sources from OVCPD)
