The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) inaugurated its newly restored 115-year-old town hall in the municipality of Patnongon on Thursday.

NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. said the event today is more than just the inauguration of a newly restored heritage structure, it is the reopening of the door into the past and reclaiming the vital chapter of the town’s history.

“We are now in the Casa Tribunal De Patnongon, commonly known today as the old Patnongon Casa Real built in the 1800s,” Jose said in his message during the turnover of the restored structure to the local government.

He said Casa Tribunal De Patnongon, built in 1874, was not spared from the tides of wartime and neglect after it was burned during World War II, just like many other heritage structures.

They had it restored to preserve and promote the places that carry the history and culture of the people.

“In 2023, the restoration efforts began through the collaboration of the NHCP and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, staying faithful to the existing heritage conservation standards,” he added.

Its restoration, funded by PHP20 million from NHCP, was in two phases. Phase I focused on structural works, cleaning and restoring of stone walls, the stabilization of foundations, and the laying of pipes and electrical connections; while Phase II addressed architectural finishing, interior works and the installation of plumbing and lighting features.

Legarda helped look for funds because of the persistence of Patnongon Mayor Johnnyflores Bacongallo to restore the heritage structure.

“The Casa Tribunal De Patnongon reminds us that we are a people who fought for our freedoms and held onto an identity distinct in its own right –wholly Filipino, and fiercely refusing to be diminished,” Legarda said in her message, adding that the edifice represents the town’s rich history and resilience.

Bacongallo, in an interview, said Casa Tribunal De Patnongon was built by Antique’s former governor Enrique Salvani on a one-hectare area, swapped by the municipal government with the prominent Magbanua family.

“I am grateful for the restoration of the Casa Tribunal De Patnongon that will become our new tourism attraction and venue for the students eager to learn about our town’s history,” he said.

The mayor intends to transfer the Municipal Tourism Office to the building to attend to their visitors. (PNA)