LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—University of the Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera III discusses ‘‘federalism’’ during the inaugural lecture of the Center for Pangasinan Studies (CPS) at the Sison Auditorium recently.
De Vera, a political analyst who traces his roots to Tayug town, focused his lecture on “The Challenges and Opportunities for a Federal Philippines” and explained to the participants from the bureaucracy, the academe and private sectors the differences between the unitary and federal systems of government.
The burning issues concerning federalism—including spheres of government, division of powers, division of resources, and entrenched and enforced constitution—were tackled in a panel discussion.
Governor Amado Espino III expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support of UP administration and five collaborating private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the province for the successful launching of CPS.
The federalism lecture by the CPS, Espino said, was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed federal system of government.
“This lecture enlightens and gives us a clearer picture on what federalism may bring to provincial, city and municipal government units, to the various civil society organizations, and to the Pangasinenses in particular,” Espino said.
The event kicked off the lecture series of CPS, which was declared by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 18 as the official think tank of the province legislated under Provincial Ordinance No. 1-2016.
The legislation calls for the establishment of the CPS and for the provincial government to support this group not only to validate the past, but to give a brighter future for all Pangasinenses, ordinance author Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. said.
The CPS was established on June 18, 2015 through the memorandum of understanding signing between UP represented by President Alfredo Pascual and De Vera and the Pangasinan provincial government led by former governor and now fifth district Representative Amado Espino Jr.
Another agreement was inked on April 5, 2016 during the Agew na Pangasinan celebration to signify the collaboration of UP, the provincial government and five local HEIs namely: University of Luzon, Lyceum Northwestern University, University of Pangasinan-Phinma and Colegio de Dagupan, all based in Dagupan City; and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation based in San Carlos City.
The CPS logo-making contest and official CPS Facebook fan page were also launched after the lecture.
Present during the inaugural lecture were: CPS executive director Perla Legazpi, Provincial Historical and Cultural Commission Chairman Gonzalo Duque, UP Baguio Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos, Calimlim and some board members, and research directors and representatives from CPS partner local HEIs.