Pangasinan’s Casa Real restoration gets P34M

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The restoration of a building that was once the seat of power in Pangasinan will finally be completed by April next year, in time for the province’s 438th founding anniversary celebration.

The provincial government received a P33.9-million grant from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for the completion of Casa Real (Royal House) in Lingayen town.

The 1,480-square meter, two-story structure was built in the 1800s using stone masonry and bricks. “Alcalde mayores” (provincial governors) lived and held office there under the Spanish colonial government.

The Lingayen town government offices occupied Casa Real but the building was abandoned when Typhoon “Cosme” destroyed its roof in 2008.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines had declared Casa Real a national historical landmark, saying it was “a silent witness to Pangasinan’s history.” —Gabriel Cardinoza