The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan officially unveiled and inaugurated the marker that declares Casa Real as a National Historical Landmark today, June 21, 2021.
DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, DOT Region 1 Director Francisco Joseph “Jeff” R. Ortega, Pangasinan Provincial Governor Amado I. Espino III, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, NHCP Chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante, Engr. Aniversario M. Partolan (TIEZA), and Engr. Edita L. Manuel (DPWH) were present for this historic event. Hon. Congressman Jumel Anthony I. Espino, Hon. Congressman Christopher “Toff” V.P. de Venecia, Provincial Administrator Atty. Nimrod S. Camba, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Maria Luisa A. Elduayan, and Provincial Information Officer Orpheus M. Velasco, and select LGU Lingayen officials also joined this momentous occasion.
The Casa Real is known to be the first Provincial Capitol of Pangasinan founded in the mid-19th century and was officially declared as a National Historical Landmark by the NHCP in 2002. However, due to its age and natural elements throughout the years, the Casa Real sustained numerous damages and was eventually set to undergo a three-phase restoration project that started in 2015. The project was made possible through the cooperation and contributions of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, then congressman and now Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC), the Pangasinan Heritage Society, Inc., and the NHCP.
/MCDG
