LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 21 (PNA) — Restoration of the Casa Real in Lingayen to its old grandeur during the Spanish time will soon be a reality following the relocation of 47 informal settlers who illegally occupied its back portion for years.
Angelito Pedeglorio, caretaker of the Provincial Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Office (PHUDCO), confirmed that the relocation of informal settlers to a housing project in Sitio Aplaya in Barangay, Pangapisan, Lingayen paves the way for the all-out restoration of the edifice.
A report said these families used to reside in Sitio Lagasit before they moved at the back the abandoned Casa Real.
Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. said he wanted to put things in order first before finally restoring the Casa Real, one of the oldest public buildings in Pangasinan which served as the seat of the provincial government during the Spanish era.
The Casa Real, earlier declared as a National Historical Landmark, will be restored in three phases.
The provincial government set aside P5 million to be used in project’s pre-restoration works to include boring test and exploration and shoring protection of the remaining walls, perimeter fencing and support roofing, all under Phase 1.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) set aside another P30 million to come from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) to be spent for Phase II while the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) made available another P50 million for Phase III.
The administration of Gov. Espino envisions to transform Casa Real into a provincial museum to house historical and cultural relics and memoirs that can provide every Pangasinense and the future generation a visual source of information and appreciation of one’s native culture. (PNA)