Next to the Rizal monument in the Luneta, the Bonifacio monument in Caloocan is our most important monument. The National Historical Institute has declared it as a national shrine. And it has one great distinction. It is a national monument that was constructed not with public funds but by people who contributed money in order to have a major monument to the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
We lived in Caloocan for several decades and the Bonifacio monument is part and parcel of the history of the place. The start of Avenida Rizal began during the American times. It was then called Bagung Bayan and it ended in the Bonifacio monument in Caloocan. To change the location of the Bonifacio monument is to tamper with history itself.
What should be made clear is why a great historical landmark should give way to link contemporary rail transits. Is there no other alternative? And just where will the monument be transferred? To an inconsequential place? If it is going to be transferred, it should be in a more prominent place. In short, a place where the monument will be better situated, meaning a historical soil where more people will be able to appreciate Bonifacio’s great contribution to the Philippine Revolution. No way should it be transferred to another site. Just to give way to modern transportation. It should be in a place that is associated with Bonifacio’s major activity during the Revolution. The National Historical Institute should not only be consulted, but their decision declaring it a national shrine should be respected.
We understand the great need for modern transportation. The Light Rail and Metro Rail Transits are doing a great deal to alleviate our worsening traffic situation. The thing is to study all possible alternatives and respect our old historical landmarks. The public should be made aware of just where the two Rail Transits will link. There is another important question involved in the proposal and that is: Can the Bonifacio Monument be transferred without damaging the structure?
Let all offices that will be involved with said proposal have their say. The decision should be for the greatest good of the general public. All we say is that if the monument has to be moved, it has to be in an equally fitting place, meaning historically and in an equally prominent place. Let us take good care of our past. The Filipinos have the saying that those who don’t know where they came from will not reach where they want to go.