NCCA: Stop CBRT works near Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has called on the stoppage of the civil works of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) fronting the Cebu Provincial Capitol building.

This as NCCA is seeking for documents pertaining to the said project, which they said they have to review first if it is in compliance with the heritage law.

In a letter by NCCA chairman Victorino Manalo to Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), NCCA asked the latter for documents of the project for their assessment and approval.

These documents include the Archeological Impact Assessment (AIA) of the project pursuant to the Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and DENR-EMB memorandum circular; and the development plans of the project, including the mitigation activities to protect the sight line with regard to build heritage, which is required under the General Appropriation Act (GAA).

“In the meantime, we enjoin the DOTr not to conduct any work or changes in the area — especially excavation works — until we approve your AIA and development plans,” read part of the letter.

“This is parallel to the review that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is currently making on the project given their concurrent jurisdiction over the matter,” the letter added.

In a meeting between the Capitol officials headed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and NCCA officials, the Capitol formally expressed their concerns over the CBRT project along Osmeña boulevard wherein part of the project is within the buffer zone of the Cebu Capitol building.

The Cebu Provincial Capitol building, which was built in the 1930s, is considered a national historical landmark with Grade 1 Level Heritage Structure classification under RA 1006 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

The "potential impact" of the said project to the heritage site prompted Governor Garcia to issue a cease and desist order to the proponents of CBRT in February this year. —/ATO (FREEMAN)