DMMMSU and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) sealed partnership for the establishment of Elyukano Center for Ilokano Studies through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Capitol Building, City of San Fernando, La Union on October 24, 2022.

The said MOA signing was spearheaded by Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., DMMMSU President and Hon. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, Provincial Governor. Also present as witnesses during the MOA signing Dr. Eduardo C. Corpuz, DMMMSU-MLUC Chancellor; and Mr. Arthur S. Cortez, Jr., Provincial Tourism Officer (PTO). Dr. Sonia B. Siago, DMMMSU Director of Library Services and Development and Ms. Rubylyn C. Narra, Head of DMMMSU-MLUC Library Services and Development were also present during the MOA Signing.

The Elyukano Center for Ilokano Studies was established for the following reasons: 1) to provide space for collaboration in enriching Ilokano resources; to serve as the information hub of Ilokano culture; 3) to promote Ilokano information resources using different platforms; 4) to preserve rare materials that are important and historically speaks of Ilokano; and 5) to catalogue and classify print and non-print materials written in Ilokano as well as works of literature about Ilokano culture.

Dr. Manuel, Jr., in his message, expressed his gratitude to the PGLU for their strong support of the establishment of the Elyukano Center. He emphasized that this partnership will be of great help not only in promoting and implementing the Language Code of La Union but also in conserving, preserving and enriching the Ilokano culture in La Union.

Elyukano is a blended word for La Union (usually abbreviated as Elyu) and Ilocano, which pertains to the culture and its people. (Sheena Pardilla)