Foundation University formally turned over to the Philippine Ports Authority the Dumaguete Tourist Information & Assistance Center, in a ceremony held Nov. 22 at the entrance to the Dumaguete seaport.
The Tourist Info & Assistance Center was built in response to the need of a community facility for the traveling public, according to FU President Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco.
An initiative of the Philippine Ports Authority, PMO-Negros Oriental/Siquijor, an agency under the Department of Transportation & Communications, the partnership with the University on this project was aimed at improving the faí§ade of the Dumaguete Port where tourists and sea-travelers pass by upon arriving or leaving the City.
More importantly, the project is aimed at addressing the need for putting up a unified tourist information and assistance center.
The bamboo-cement building was designed and built by senior students of the FU Department of Architecture & Fine Arts: Michael Von Libetario, Kerr Arvin Bambo, Michael Jeff Ponce, Neil Jude Valencia, Harriette Abilla, and Jay Vincent Villaluz.
During the ceremonies, Ponciano Calingacion Jr. signed the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of port manager Atty. Sarah Mijares.
Local government officials led by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and Dumaguete Vice Mayor Franklin Esmeña attended the occasion, and expressed admiration and support to the Estudio Damgo project, now on its fourth leg.
As a sign of community collaboration, the Dumaguete Festival & Arts Society headed by William Christopher Dichoso, shared their resources by providing the landscaping for the Center.
All Estudio Damgo projects are geared towards the needs of the community through sustainable and eco-friendly architecture, venturing into the conceptualization of Philippine-inspired designs.
