Pinamungajan to get a library and more

CEBU, Philippines — Pinamungajan residents may soon have access to a multi-purpose facility that will bring together educational, cultural, and public service spaces, with the Cebu Provincial Government allocating ?2 million for the municipality’s planned public library.

The proposed facility will house a public library, research center, museum and Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC), according to Pinamungajan Mayor Glenn Baricuatro.

The provincial assistance was announced by Governor Pamela Baricuatro during the Serbisyo Karaban for the 3rd District last Monday, August 17, at the Pinamungajan Auditorium.

For Mayor Baricuatro, the library will complement the municipality’s existing plans to establish facilities that can provide residents, particularly young people, with access to learning and cultural resources.

“Naa mi plano nga magtukod og library,” he said.

He said the municipality had earlier received ?1 million from the Sangguniang Kabataan fund, which is intended for the establishment of a research center.

Pinamungajan also has funds intended for a museum, while plans are being made to construct a multi-purpose building that will house the MCTC.

With these projects being developed, the municipality decided to incorporate the proposed public library into the facility.

“Para ni sa mga batan-on aron ma develop ilang knowledge kay library gud na,” said Mayor Baricuatro, stressing the role of libraries in providing opportunities for learning.

He recalled how libraries served as important sources of information before internet access became widespread, saying the municipality wants to maintain that avenue for residents to gain knowledge.

“Sauna nga wa pay internet naka-gain ta’g knowledge gumikan sa library so mas bintaha nga ato nang ma-maintain,” he said.

The planned building will be located near the municipal terminal and sports hub.

He said funds for the research center and museum are already available, allowing the municipality to proceed with the preparation of plans while incorporating the library into the proposed structure.

Governor Baricuatro said the provincial government’s assistance also aligns with its Basa Ta Cebu initiative, a project of the Provincial Information Office focused on reading.

She said reading is a basic foundation of learning and saw the planned Pinamungajan library as an opportunity to connect the municipality’s plans with the province’s initiative.

“Basic man na ang reading so what better way to do it than to have a library,” she said, adding that the project could serve as a pilot project for Cebu Province.

“Initially naghatag ta’g ?2 million,” she said.

Aside from the library assistance, Pinamungajan also received ?3 million from the provincial government for the municipality’s Charter Day celebration.

The province and Pinamungajan also signed a usufruct agreement on August 17 covering land for new facilities at the Lamac Elementary School. (CEBU NEWS)