NEW CENTER. Region 1 Medical Center chief Dr. Joseph Roland Mejia (left) and Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher de Venecia (middle) stand in front of the future site of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control research building. The groundbreaking for the project was held on Oct. 27, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Region 1 Medical Center) DAGUPAN CITY - A Disease Prevention and Control Research Center will soon rise at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) Bonuan Binloc Annex here following its groundbreaking on Wednesday. In an interview, Pangasinan fourth district Representative Christopher de Venecia said the PHP20-million project was funded through the support of Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan of Ilocos Sur and Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of the House of Representatives. "This is first of its kind to really augment our healthcare system," he said. De Venecia said the research center will also serve as a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) facility once complet