Saving our heritage

The Bacolod Sanggunian had called for two public hearings during the week intended to protect our historical and cultural heritage. However in both instances I was unable to attend because of previous engagements, both outside of Bacolod and which required my personal presence. I felt that the proposed ordinances are important but that my presence is unnecessary compared to the other appointments. I also believed that these proposals are non-controversial and would find rich insights and support from the people invited to the hearings

The first was scheduled on November 24. This public consultation was convened by Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue to elicit opinions on the proposed ordinance she authored. The proposal is to “regulate activities within the premises of historical, cultural and religious monuments, markers, statues and the like”.

This is a long overdue ordinance considering that many of our historical, cultural and religious monuments and statues have been neglected and desecrated by people who have no sense of the value of these structures. At the reclamation area, for instance, the marker for the Fr. Mauricio Ferrero Street has become a dumping site for garbage. Vendors abound around it and pedicabs use the area for parking.

The same kind of desecration can be seen within the statue for the late Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich right across that of St. Pope John Paul II. Some even dry their clothes or cook nearby.

The SP should pass this ordinance but there is one thing missing in this proposal. There is no agency or office that is tasked to insure compliance. The penalties imposed are without value if nobody is enforcing the ordinance. The ordinance must identify responsibility for enforcement.

Although by implication the City Legal Office’s enforcement unit is expected to insure that this ordinance is followed, its performance in enforcing city ordinances leaves much to be desired. This ordinance will be another dead ordinance unless enforcement is assured.

The second public hearing was called on November 27 by the Committee on History, Culture and Arts chaired by Councilor Em Ang. The hearing was related to the proposed ordinance “creating a council for the preservation and restoration of all historical and cultural buildings and structures in the City of Bacolod, providing incentives to cooperators and penalties for violations thereof.”

Again this proposal is the proverbial late than never. Many of our cultural and historical structures have been demolished in the name of progress. The latest of these is the demolition of the façade of Puerto San Juan by 888. Despite appeals for its preservation, 888 simply destroyed it mindless of the fact that aside from the San Sebastian Cathedral and the Bishop’s House, this structure is the last of the Spanish vintage structures.

The events that took place in this irreplaceable structure are linked with our history but 888 could not care less and replaced it with a commercial building. It only shows that 888 have no historical sense or respect for the past.

The creation of the council, if it is properly equipped and composed of competent and dedicated members can at least save whatever little is left of our heritage in the modernizing city.

The invitation did not include a copy of the proposed ordinance so we just have to wait for the result of the hearing.

While Bacolod is still struggling to get things going to save its heritage, La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor, Vice Mayor Chad Feria and Barangay Robles Geoffry Zapanta have already taken bold steps to restore the town’s public plaza to its “former beauty and glory”.

The official action was prompted by the effort of former residents of La Castellana who have settled elsewhere in the world and would like to see the plaza where they played when they were kids there. Through the years, structures have been erected around the 1928 bandstand and these have to be removed to reveal this historic edifice, one of the few in Occidental Negros that have survived the onslaught of modernism and disregard for heritage.

Calling themselves “Tumandok La Castellana”, the group will raise funds to restore the plaza while the town’s officials will transfer the structures into another place. The location will become the new growth center of La Castellana.

These moves are part of the preparations for the town’s celebration of its 100th year in 2018. Fortunately for the Tumandoks, the town officials are united in this historic venture that will change the town’s landscape, save their heritage and bring about pride in one’s origin.*    

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