Loren in drive to save landmarks

Buildings have as much story to tell about a people and their time as do books. Thus there is a growing trend in many countries to restore and preserve old structures, so that younger generations may appreciate them and learn from them. Sadly, in the Philippines many such landmarks of eras long gone are being obliterated, all in the name of urban development and modern living.

Sen. Loren Legarda is waging a campaign to spare the remaining symbols of the national patrimony. She has filed Senate Bill 1090, the proposed National Landmarks Conservation Act, which seeks to guard the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.

The bill assigns this mission to a proposed National Landmarks Council. Besides being the overall coordinator of preservation and restoration projects, the council would produce a National Landmarks Register and generate resources for a proposed National Landmarks Endowment Fund.

The council would oversee the listing of sites and structures and determine the landmarks to be registered based on historical importance, character, distinct architectural style, National Artist's creation, cultural landscape, technological expertise and unique utilitarian structure.

A marker would be placed on the site or structure. The local government concerned would proclaim it as a national landmark and may provide incentives for the maintenance, restoration or protection of the registered work.

Should they plan to make design changes, owners of national landmarks would have to obtain prior clearance from the council.

The bill imposes a penalty of up to one year in prison plus a fine of P25,000 for each unauthorized destruction, renovation, alteration or construction work on the landmark.

The tourism secretary would chair the council, with the interior secretary and the heads of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Institute and the National Museum as members, among others. The President would appoint four other members from non-government and professional associations.

The proposed endowment fund would get an initial P500 million from the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Five percent of the Philippine Tourism Authority's share of the travel tax would also go to the fund.

"We have witnessed the destruction of so much of our heritage, mostly by human hands and apathy," Legarda lamented. "There are still many places in the country which should be remembered for their historical and cultural significance. Let us preserve our heritage. Let us take pride in our culture and history, and thereby, strengthen our national identity."

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists as World Heritage Sites the following places in the Philippines: the Baroque churches in the country, including San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila; Paoay Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; and Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo; the Historic Town of Vigan; Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park; Cordillera Rice Terraces; and the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park.

On the other hand, some of the cultural and historical landmarks in the Philippines include: Andres Bonifacio Monument; Chinatown Binondo District in Manila; Corregidor Island in Mariveles, Bataan; EDSA Shrine; Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine; Far Eastern University in Manila (largest ensemble of Art Deco structures in the Philippines); Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila; Lapu-Lapu Monument in Mactan Island; the Bamboo Organ in Las Piñas City; Magellan's Cross in Cebu City; Malacañang Palace; Manila Cathedral; Marcella Agoncillo National Landmark; and the Rizal Shrine.

Legarda stressed the need for new legislation that would provide a more focused approach to the identification and safekeeping of landmarks and historical sites.

She said her bill seeks to do just this through the National Landmarks Council.