TRO sought vs NCCA for stopping La Union road project

AGOO, La Union, Philippines – A private firm has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) asking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for stopping a road project here.

In opposing the project, the NCAA cited the alleged destruction of church-owned structures believed to have historical significance.

In a petition filed on Sept. 7, Russell Bernal of the Ciara and Berson Construction and Trading, said the cease and desist order issued by NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon has delayed the completion of the project, resulted in fund losses and deprived the public of the benefits of development.

The cease and desist order directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop the demolition of plant boxes in front of the Agoo Basilica and the concrete fence at the Plaza dela Virgen.

The demolition started on Feb. 20 to pave the way for the construction and widening of the highway. The church, led by Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, obtained the cease order on Feb. 21.

 DPWH officials and representatives of the construction firm questioned the order, saying the NCCA issued it without conducting ocular inspection.

De Leon based the order on the claims of the Catholic church that the fence has cultural and historical importance.

 He cited the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which states that all structure at least 50 years old are considered important cultural property and are protected from demolition.

 The fence was reportedly built only in 1991.