Thursday, June 6, 2019

Approval of govt agencies concerned for preservation and protection of built heritage ignored in Marinduque?

Protection of sight line with regard to built heritage, cultural properties and cultural landscapes. Alteration, renovation or demolition of heritage buildings and open spaces declared or presumed to be important cultural properties i.e. monuments, fountains, parks and plazas, fortifications, lighthouses, bridges, public hospitals, etc. shall be undertaken only upon prior approval of government cultural agencies... to be administered by the NCCA.

Is the relevant law/s possibly being ignored in the province of Marinduque, one that projects itself as a culture and heritage conscious society?

Potential sites/properties that have gone alteration without prior approval of authorities concerned and may be in violation of RA No. 10717, include:

Luzon Datum Origin national landmark and ecotourism site (Datum Station Balanacan).
Now being developed as pilgrim site of 'Mama Piat' with Stations of the Cross.

Luzon Datum. Photo: Kara Santos

Marinduque National High School Gabaldon Building.
A school building is now being built too close adjacent to this building. Preservation of the ability to have an unobstructed view of this landmark as focus of view will no longer exist upon completion with sight line apparently not considered.


MNHS Gabaldon Building. Photo: HabagatCentral

Fontana de Boac of 1914.
Moved to another location. Damaged. Needing preservation efforts.


Fontana de Boac 1914. Photo: Eli J. Obligacion

Are there more of such built heritage/open spaces around us presumed to be important cultural properties that may be included here?

Relevant excerpts from Republic Act No. 10717 – General Appropriations Act 2016. It is prohibited to use government funds from GAA (i.e. DPWH projects) to destroy heritage:

DepEd-OSEC, Special Provision No. 20, “Preservation of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings”, Volume II-A, page 271
20. Preservation of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings. The existing Gabaldon school buildings and other heritage school buildings shall not be demolished. The DepEd shall endeavor to preserve and restore said buildings as part of the preservation of the country's cultural heritage.
General Provisions, Section 43, “Protection of Built Heritage, Cultural Properties and Cultural Landscapes”, Volume II-B, page 796
Section 43. Protection of Built Heritage, Cultural Properties and Cultural Landscapes. Alteration, renovation or demolition of heritage buildings and open spaces declared by government cultural agencies or presumed to be important cultural properties, including but not limited to provincial capitol buildings, city hall, municipal hall, monuments, fountains, parks and plazas, school, state colleges and universities, fortifications, lighthouses, bridges, public hospitals, train stations, museums, public libraries, stadiums, prisons and government offices, shall be undertaken only upon prior approval of government cultural agencies and proper consultation with stakeholders and cultural groups to be administered by the NCCA. This includes the protection of the sight line with regard to built heritage, cultural properties and cultural landscapes.
In addition, in undertaking major infrastructure projects, the concerned department/agency shall be responsible specifically in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges as they impact on heritage structures or aspects of heritage conservation pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066 of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

Also read:

Datum Station Balanacan claims 

Old Fontana de Boac 1914, an Important Cultural Property