LANAO DEL NORTE (PIA) -- The provincial government of Lanao del Norte recently broke ground to officially start construction on the long-envisioned museum, which will serve as the province's center for culture and education.
The rich cultural heritage of Lanao del Norte will be preserved and showcased through the two-storey building.

The second floor will house the provincial tourism office, a conference room, and a stockroom, facilitating administrative functions and advancing tourism development initiatives. The ground floor of the building will house the museum, which will provide guests with an interactive historical tour of the province.

"I am indeed very grateful to all the people who have helped me turn this dream into a reality. With this museum, we honor our past, embrace our present, and pave the way for a prosperous future," said Gov. Imelda 'Angging' Quibranza-Dimaporo.

The governor has long advocated for the creation of a dedicated museum. The project is currently in progress, ensuring that she realizes her dream before the end of her term and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.

The event also garnered support from external stakeholders like Decius Esmedalla of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-10, who emphasized the collaborative effort behind this transformative endeavor, saying, "This kind of project is really needed, especially when we are about to push for more development in tourism, and this is one of the ingredients."

He emphasized that having a museum is akin to possessing a precious gem that communicates the essence of their identity, linking them to their ancestral roots. Moreover, it provides an invaluable opportunity for both the youth and the populace at large to gain deeper insights into and cultivate a greater appreciation for their local culture.

Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and Committee Chairperson on Tourism, Haron Omar Jr., conveyed appreciation to Dimaporo for her steadfast commitment to the project. He underscored the importance of the museum in preserving and celebrating Lanao del Norte's cultural heritage, offering future generations a tangible link to their ancestral past

"Kini nga museum nga atong buhaton is very important kaayo diri sa atong probinsya sa Lanao del Norte, kay tungod ang atong probinsya abunda kaayo sa ginatawag na cultural heritage tungod pud sa taas nga cultural history nga naagian sa atong probinsya, puhon diri nato makita ang atong mga butang nga handumanan sa mga panghitabo sauna nga wala pa nato naabtan pero naabtan sa atong mga kanunu-nunuan," he said.

(The museum that we are establishing is very important here in our province of Lanao del Norte because our province is rich in cultural heritage due to the high cultural history that our province has experienced. In the future, we will be able to see our belongings, which are memories of past events that we did not experience but were experienced by our ancestors.)

The Provincial Museum is expected to be completed by 2025 and is targeted to become a symbol of cultural preservation and education, adding to the rich legacy of Lanao del Norte for future generations. (LELA/PIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)