‘Mobile museum’ raises awareness on biodiversity protection
ILOILO CITY – A Mobile Museum Boxes (MMB) traveling exhibition since 2019 that aims to raise awareness on the protection and preservation of the natural resources in the Visayas regions are currently on display at the Santa Barbara Centennial Museum in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.Santa Barbara Tourism Officer Irene Magallon, in an interview Thursday, said the MMB covers rocks, forests, shells, land formation, and flora and fauna, among others that can be found in the three Visayas regions.She cited among others the lithologic (study of rocks) map represented by rocks that can be found in the islands of Visayas, rare species of plants that are near extinction found in Samar and Leyte; replica of Mt. Kanlaon, Bohol Chocolate Hills, the world’s biggest flower Rafflesia that can be found in Antique and Iloilo; preserved animals; and landslide in Leyte.“The purpose is really make them understand the need for conservation of forests and other natural resources. Because of climate change and global warming we have to be aware of it,” Magallon said.In addition to the MMB, visitors can also take a look at the centennial museum display and chronology of events leading to Philippine Independence in 1898, which is the focus of the museum, she said.“Because we had the opportunity to display these mobile museum boxes, which is not very common of course so we really gave them a chance to be featured in our centennial museum,” Magallon said.She added that since Iloilo is already the last venue, there was a proposal to have it extended for probably another two weeks.“It might stay long in Iloilo because we are still uncertain what will happen in the following months due to Covid-19,” she said although raising the possibility of the project wrapping up by the first half of the year.The MMB with the theme “Conserving the Natural History of the Visayas Region” was launched in Eastern Samar State University in Borongan, Eastern Samar in 2019, and was transferred to the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar.It was brought to the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban and Visayas State University in Baybay, all in Leyte province.It is a joint venture of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) – Botany and Herbarium Division, the Western Visayas Association of Museums, Inc. (WVMI), and the Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FFP).The MMB will return to the National Museum Western Visayas in Iloilo City after its exhibition at the Santa Barbara Centennial Museum.She said that the exhibit is open to the fully vaccinated general public but they are hoping to see students, college and senior high school learners.It is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but they can make special arrangements during weekends. (PNA)
OFW TODAY 
ILOILO CITY – A Mobile Museum Boxes (MMB) traveling exhibition since 2019 that aims to raise awareness on the protection and preservation of the natural resources in the Visayas regions are currently on display at the Santa Barbara Centennial Museum in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
Santa Barbara Tourism Officer Irene Magallon, in an interview Thursday, said the MMB covers rocks, forests, shells, land formation, and flora and fauna, among others that can be found in the three Visayas regions.
She cited among others the lithologic (study of rocks) map represented by rocks that can be found in the islands of Visayas, rare species of plants that are near extinction found in Samar and Leyte; replica of Mt. Kanlaon, Bohol Chocolate Hills, the world’s biggest flower Rafflesia that can be found in Antique and Iloilo; preserved animals; and landslide in Leyte.
“The purpose is really make them understand the need for conservation of forests and other natural resources. Because of climate change and global warming we have to be aware of it,” Magallon said.
In addition to the MMB, visitors can also take a look at the centennial museum display and chronology of events leading to Philippine Independence in 1898, which is the focus of the museum, she said.
“Because we had the opportunity to display these mobile museum boxes, which is not very common of course so we really gave them a chance to be featured in our centennial museum,” Magallon said.
She added that since Iloilo is already the last venue, there was a proposal to have it extended for probably another two weeks.
“It might stay long in Iloilo because we are still uncertain what will happen in the following months due to Covid-19,” she said although raising the possibility of the project wrapping up by the first half of the year.
The MMB with the theme “Conserving the Natural History of the Visayas Region” was launched in Eastern Samar State University in Borongan, Eastern Samar in 2019, and was transferred to the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar.
It was brought to the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban and Visayas State University in Baybay, all in Leyte province.
It is a joint venture of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) – Botany and Herbarium Division, the Western Visayas Association of Museums, Inc. (WVMI), and the Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FFP).
The MMB will return to the National Museum Western Visayas in Iloilo City after its exhibition at the Santa Barbara Centennial Museum.
She said that the exhibit is open to the fully vaccinated general public but they are hoping to see students, college and senior high school learners.
It is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but they can make special arrangements during weekends. (PNA)
