CHAC: Parian can't collect fees from tourists

CEBU, Philippines - Officials from Barangay Pari-an cannot collect fees on tourists who want a closer look at the Heritage Monument of Cebu, according to the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

Although the tourist site is located within their territory, the structure is owned by the Cebu City Government, explained the CHAC members in their recommendation sent to the Cebu City Council.

Pari-an submitted Barangay Ordinance No. 2011-02 for approval by the Cebu City Council. It proposed to collect P10 per tourist.

Officials said the collected amount will be used to maintain the cleanliness and peace and order within the vicinity of the monument.

If approved, the barangay will then hire a caretaker to be assigned to the area to collect the fees from tourists. The caretaker shall be appointed by the barangay captain. City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on cultural and historical affairs in the council, referred the matter to CHAC for comments and recommendation.

Last week, the CHAC told the Cebu City Council that the barangay cannot collect fees because the Heritage Monument is not owned by the barangay but by the City Government.

The resolution was approved by members of the CHAC along with Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, cultural consultants Arsenio Pacaña and Dionisio Sy, and Osman Jumalon, Dr. Erlinda Alburo, Architect Melva Java, Connie Jane Cuyos, Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, Nelia Aquino, Rebecca Atillo and Hadriana Samson.

“While it is the power of the barangays to raise revenues and to impose and collect reasonable fees and charges for services, however, Section 152 of the Local Government Code states that service fees or charges for services rendered in connection with the regulation or the use of barangay-owned properties or service facilities,” the CHAC resolution states.

To recall, Cebu City Council Resolution No. 08-1331 dated December 3, 2008, has authorized then acting mayor and now Mayor Michael Rama, for and in behalf of then mayor Tomas Osmeña, and for the City of Cebu, to enter into and sign the memorandum of agreement with the Cultural Heritage Foundation, chaired by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, in connection with the Heritage of Cebu’s formal turnover for the City Government to assume the operation, maintenance and improvement.

According to CHAC, the maintenance and operation shall be undertaken by the Office of the Parks and Playground commission.  

       The heritage monument in Parian underwent intensive restoration and preservation which was completed in April 2010.

It was a P2-million project of the Department of Tourism which was later turned over to the Cebu City Government and the barangay for maintenance and preservation. The heritage monument was built in barangay Parian because of the area’s major share in the history of Cebu. It was once an enclave of wealthy families during the Spanish Period. Parian was also a Chinese business district.

The Monument is a tableau of renowned historical figures such as Rajah Humabon, Jose Rizal and Pedro Calungsod. — (FREEMAN)