West Visayas State University welcomed partner institutions and cultural stakeholders for the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) Book Distribution on May 21, 2026, at the WVSU Quezon Hall Merged Rooms, reinforcing efforts to preserve and document the region’s cultural heritage.

The activity served as an early distribution of the books ahead of the project’s official launch in June 2026, in partnership with University of the Philippines Visayas and other local stakeholders. Dr. Mary Ann de la Vega serves as the Project Coordinator of WVSU CMPG for Iloilo City and the 3rd District of Iloilo Province, facilitating local coordination for the cultural mapping initiative.

The books contain documented cultural resources of Iloilo City and the Third District in the Province of Iloilo, including historical landmarks, traditions, practices, local stories, and other heritage elements that reflect the identity of communities in the region.

Present during the event were representatives from the local government offices of Iloilo City and the Third District of Iloilo Province, cultural tourism officers, Dr Bonna Palma, Dean-CAS, Anna Razel Ramirez from UPV, and Neshil Garvilles from the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, cultural workers, and academic institutions involved in the initiative.

Through the initiative, WVSU continues to support cultural preservation and strengthen partnerships with institutions working to promote greater appreciation of the rich heritage of Western Visayas.