BAGUIO CITY—The ongoing construction in front of the Baguio City Hall allegedly violates Republic Act 10066, also known as “An act providing for the protection and conservation of the National Cultural Heritage, strengthening the National Commission for Culture and Arts [NCCA] and its affiliated cultural agencies.”
In the city council session on Monday, the parliamentary rules were suspended to give way to the inquiries of the Baguio Heritage Commission (BHC) chaired by Ronald Paraan and concerned citizens led by Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon.
Also present was the representative of the City Buildings and Architecture Office to enlighten the council on the ongoing construction.
Earlier, the council members agreed to further evaluate and validate the declaration of the Baguio City Hall and its premises as one of the national heritage sites of the Philippines.
In the discussions, the BHC questioned the ongoing construction, stating that such is a desecration because the Baguio City Hall has been declared a historical site in 2009 as proven by a marker installed at the front of the building.
Paraan said there are 49 other sites in Baguio City being considered to be declared as historical sites.
Paraan added that these sites are being preserved because of their historical and environmental values.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda asked the BHC to produce more documents that will prove that, indeed, the Baguio City Hall and its premises have been declared a historical site.
Cenzon said that while a lot of concerned citizens are endorsing historical sites in Baguio City to be declared as such, the city officials do not seem to care, thus the construction at the Baguio City Hall, Burnham Park, Baguio Botanical Gardens and Mines View Park to name a few.
The Bishop asked the councilors to look into their hearts and “think of the future, to preserve history for your children’s children and the generations to follow.”
PNA