SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda expressed optimism that the establishment of the University of the Philippines Antique Extension Campus will ensure quality and democratized education in the province.

Legarda led the inauguration of the UP-Antique campus in the municipality of Pandan.

UP-Antique was established to provide formal education and award degrees as well as training opportunities to the local workforce who contribute to the province’s thriving economy.

“This 900-square-meter three-story building has classrooms, offices, training spaces, and a conference room. These will catalyze engagements among constituent universities in the UP System, local academic institutions, and LGU partners, among others,” Legarda said.

“The establishment of this campus will also propel the preservation of our heritage and culture, as well as work with other institutions in the province to ensure that our rich biodiversity is protected,” she added.

Legarda said that the campus is crucial in the implementation of several educational programs that focus on fisheries, economics, and finance.

She added that 33 training modules in these areas of expertise will be made accessible to the local communities in Antique and neighboring areas.

The modules include the development of business management skills of community-based fisherfolk organizations, transfer of post-harvest technology, flexible learning materials for higher education institutions in Antique, and upgrading food safety awareness, among others.

“I am pleased with how all of these circumstances fell into place. This project has brought together people with kind hearts and great minds to make this one notable contribution to the field of education on the Panay,” the senator said.

“It fills me with great pride to witness the successful realization of our endeavors, but we will not simply rest on our laurels. We will work harder to ensure that this UP Visayas Antique campus will set the highest standards of tertiary education in the province and the rest of the region,” she added.