Malabon seeks protection of heritage sites

MANILA, Philippines — A proposed ordinance seeks to protect the cultural and historic sites in Malabon City and punish violators with a fine and imprisonment.

In their proposed bill, Councilors Bernard dela Cruz and Ricky Bernardo sought the protection and conservation of Malabon’s cultural properties, historical markers, monuments, and shrines in a bid to implement the National Cultural Heritage Act.

“The city of Malabon desires to protect its rich, cultural, artistic, and historical heritage from unlawful and destructive activities by imposing stringent measures in protecting these cultural landmarks and works of art,” the draft ordinance read.

The ordinance seeks to punish those who would destroy, relocate, modify or even disrespect the city’s heritage and historic structures.

Violators will be punished with P1,000-P5,000 fine, and the task of community service and restoration of the defaced property, and even a six month imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.

The ordinance also tasks the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office to enforce the ordinance, and lead efforts in the conservation of cultural properties.

Among the 18 heritage houses up for preservation are: El Casa Katipunero or the house of Katipunan member Apolinario Marcelo in Barangay Baritan built in 1800; the Sy Juco Mansion in Barangay Tañong built in 1869; the ancestral house of former governor Wenceslao Pascual in Barangay Hulong Duhat built in 1930, among others.

The ordinance also identified as a historic structure the San Bartolome Church, which was built in 1614 and has a crucial role in the Philippine revolution against Spain during the colonial period.

It was during the feast day of Saint Bartolome in Malabon on August 1896 when Katipuneros smuggled their arms under the Spanish authorities’ noses, on the day revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio called for a general assembly in Balintawak to discuss the planned attacks in Manila.