(A student makes first use of the facilities Widus Foundation turned over to the city library. Photo by Ning Cordero)
ANGELES CITY – Consistent with its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Widus Foundation, Inc. (WFI) on Monday turned over the newly-upgraded facilities and equipment of the Angeles City Library and Information Center to the city government.
WFI donated P1.6 million to help with the establishment of the Kapampangan Cultural Heritage Center and made the improvement of the Information and Technology & Leisure Reading Center of the Angeles City Library.
With this development, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, who acknowledged the donation, assured the continuous free internet access and a conducive place to study for Angeleno students in the public library.
The inauguration of the new facilities was in time for the celebration of the 60th Public Library Day observed nationwide last Monday.
Leading the turnover for WFI was its executive director Agnes “Neki” Liwanag, Widus human resources director Ana Christi Galura and general manager Tarek Aouini.
Acknowledging the donation for the city were Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno as well as PAGCor gaming and licensing development department head Atty. Angeline Papica-Entienza and PAGCor-Casino Filipino Angeles senior customer relations officer Oscar Rodriguez Jr.
The P1.6 million library rehabilitation project included installation of 12 desktop computer units with printer, donation of 12 mesh chairs, metal frame bookshelves, a sala set, and a newly refurbished office set up for the Language Service Unit equipped with its own desktop computer, laptop and LCD projector.
The event also highlighted the newly established Center for Kapampangan Cultural Heritage also known as “Sinupan Singsing” which encourages free and engaging activities and seminars focused on local heritage education.
Liwanag, who acknowledged the challenges the Kapampangan language and culture are faced with, said “WFI specifically chose to support the Angeles City Library because of the importance of history and culture in education.”
She said, “by further strengthening a place like the Angeles City Library which provides free access to information and nurtures learning, we are able to promote and preserve our language and culture not only for today’s society but also for the years to come.”
“It may seem challenging for now, but Widus Foundation is in it for the long haul until we achieve our common goal,” Liwanag added.
For his part, Pamintuan recognized WFI for being a part of the city’s renaissance with its continuous and generous contribution to the community.
“I would like to thank Widus Foundation for their noble efforts and for spearheading this development. This project will surely be beneficial to our citizens and the next generation of Angeleños to come,” Pamintuan said.
In addition, the city mayor announced a government budget allocation of P3 million for the establishment of a Research Center, Center for Local History Collection of Angeles City, a new office for Technical Services, and other requirements which could potentially make the local library at par with world-class public learning spaces.
Mila T. Narsing, chief librarian of the Angeles City Library and Information Center, said she is happy because there is now a place for students to do their research, read and study without the distractions at home.
“This is also a place for leisure reading and a place where individuals can improve themselves through reading,” she said.
Narsing said she is planning to open the library on weekends and even holidays so that students can make their research during their free time which is on weekends and holidays.
She added that she is also planning to extend library hours until 8 p.m. to accommodate students who wished to study after classes.
