The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has ordered the Antique District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop the rehabilitation of the church plaza of the St. John Nepomuceno Parish in Anini-y town.
In a letter addressed to DPWH Antique officer-in-charge Engr. De Joselito Antonio dated Feb. 9, NHCP chairman Dr. Rene Escalante said it had come to his attention that the ongoing rehabilitation is desecrating the spacious and magnificent facade of the church.
“Please be informed that the abovementioned structure has a historical marker installed by the NHCP on August 2004,” he said.
He added that all Spanish and American period plazas and public squares are declared as National Historical Sites through the Board Resolution No. 7, s. 2018.
“Therefore, any untoward alteration or modification that might affect the historical and structural integrity of this church must be coordinated first with the national cultural agencies,” Escalante said.
By virtue of Republic Act 10066, Article VII, the cease and desist order (CDO) is issued suspending all activities involving the rehabilitation of the Anini-y Church Plaza, he added.
Meanwhile, Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, in a phone interview Wednesday said that she supported the move of Lone District Rep. Loren Legarda, who requested the CDO.
“I go with the proposition of Congresswoman Legarda to maintain the national heritage,” she said.
She added that no coordination was done with her office before the implementation of the project, hence, she only knew about it later.
“We are open to new development but we also have to take care of our past and the Anini-y church stands witness to our past,” she said.
Cadiao called for the removal of structures that had been put up, particularly the covered walkway, as part of the rehabilitation project that obstructs the magnificent view of the Baroque church.
Meanwhile, Legarda in a press statement on Tuesday said that she was “aghast upon hearing the recent disrespect for our built heritage”.
Legarda and Cadiao welcomed the swift issuance of the CDO by the NHCP. (PNA)
