Last week, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would establish a Pangasinan Studies Center, was signed by the provinces top executive, Governor Amado T. Espino, and UP President Alfredo Pascual and witnessed by Pangasinan Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. and UP Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera. A dream come true, said Governor Espino, who for the past eight years has been actively working for the development of the provinces cultural heritage. Under his watch, the province now has a Pangasinan hymn, a book on history and development, as well as a historical and cultural commission. The language is now used during flag-raising ceremonies as well as a medium of instruction in the new K-to-12 multilingual curriculum. The establishment of the center would hopefully encourage further enrichment and use of the Pangasinan language not only in literature but also in the bureaucracy, the courts, the professions, and business activities.This writer is particularly delighted with this initiative for several reasons. One, because it supports a more decentralized, democratic, and devolved governance. Another is that as a native of Pangasinan, I share the observation by its leaders that the key to unlocking the full potential of the province to achieve sustainable growth is by enabling people to discover their sense of identity and involving them in their own development. Thus, it is important that we must first focus on their culture deepening their awareness and appreciation of their traditions, language, and history. The Pangasinan Studies Center which will be established in one of the local universities, would benefit from the assistance of UP faculty (especially those who trace their roots in Pangasinan), who will be tapped as resource persons.President Pascual and De Vera, an ASNA (outstanding citizen of Pangasinan) awardee, note that one such priority project is tourism, specifically, the development of the Agno River and local government facilities along its banks into tourist destinations, through a river cruise project and guided historic tours. We hope to come up with something as good, if not better than the Bohol-Loboc or the Palawan underground river cruise, the UP officials noted, adding that UP would offer tourism experts and historians to ensure successful implementation of this project. Among other plans in the MOU is capacity building of personnel in key governance functions such as information management, social media, health promotion, and educational management.Heres a brief situationer on the province, which a 2011 survey ranked No. 4 among top performing local government units. In 2010, it had a population of 2,779,862 with a 1.34 percent annual increase. With a young population (with children, aged 5-6 comprising the largest age group at 11.1 percent), it also has a voting population that is second to the highest in the country. Eighty-nine percent of its labor force is gainfully employed, a record that speaks well of the quality of its human resources and the level of its economic development. Its quantitative advantage over other provinces is that its educational system is diversified with specialized centers such as community schools, trade and vocational schools, agriculture and fisheries schools, and teacher-training colleges in addition to the undergraduate and graduate offerings of its larger university programs. The Pangasinan State University has nine campuses. Next to Cebu and Davao, it has the most media enterprises (TV, radio, print, and telecommunication).It is home to historical figures like Palaris, Malong, the legendary Princess Urduja, national figures like President Fidel V. Ramos, two speakers of the House, a Supreme Court chief justice, several senators, an international boxing star, three National Artists (Victorio Edades, F Sionil Jose, and Salvador Bernal), a National Scientist (Perla Dizon Santos-Ocampo), and luminaries who have excelled in various fields.Among landmarks that have attracted worldwide attention are the Hundred Islands, beaches, caves, and religious shrines like the Manaoag Church for those seeking Divine refuge and healing. The province is the regions food basket with major products such as rice, mango, fish, and the 3 Bs the famous Bangus, Bocayo (grated coconut with sugar and milk), and Bagoong (shrimp or fish paste), the Calasiao puto, boro (fermented fish), patupat(made of glutinous rice), among others. The Province envisions itself as an investment hub with the development of a seaport and airports and the setting up of additional industries, including those utilizing solar and wind turbine power.It boasts of achievements such as: Hall of Fame Most Outstanding Coastal Resource Management Implementation in 2010. Ranked No. 20 of the 82 provinces in the Human Development Index No. 38 in the Administrative Governance Index. Best province in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2011. Garnered seven awards from the Regional Development Council Best province in Poverty Reduction program for 2010-11. First runner-up for Cleanest, Safest, and Greenest Province (2010-11). Likas Yaman Award in 2011-12 for Best LGUvenvironmental project. Top-ranking of three provinces in Region 1 in higher education. The most inexpensive province in the cost of living index. The first to implement the E-commerce law, it has also the highest tele-density in the country. My e-mail is florangel.braid@gmail.com

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