FOLLOWING the fires that razed the University of the Philippines Faculty Center and several building at the University of the East’s Claro M. Recto campus, the chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Industry asked the government to prioritize the digitization and preservation of archives, records and other scientific, historical and cultural artifacts.
Nacionalista Party Rep. Mark Villar of Las Piñas said the development of the academe should be seen as a priority in the government agenda.
“It is high time that the result of the long, and arduous process of research, invention and creation are protected,” Villar added.
“The recent incident has exposed the vulnerabilities of status quo. It is important that we provide solution efficiently and effectively. While what was loss may never be recovered, we hope that moving forward we could propose a solution that will prevent this from happening again,” he added.
The lawmaker said a technical working group should be formed to facilitate not only the digitization, but also recommend additional infrastructure that may be lacking in the current system.
“Our country need not lose another important artifact. We have no shortage of technical experts, and now, more than ever, we’d need to convene them and ask—what sort of protection do you need,” he said. “We need to know what process, methodology, structure and facilities would best forward the protection and preservation of our archives, records and artifacts provided our current circumstances and
socioeconomic limitations,” he added.
In 2010 the House of Representatives, in partnership with the World Bank, launched the Knowledge for Development Center, an electronic library and archives, that digitized the lower chamber’s archives collection since 1907.
The lower chamber is the first nonacademic institution to have such facility in the country.
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Start with the documents about martial law and the Marcos loot so you can have an informed choice for vp.