Heritage group protests DPWH road-widening project in Sariaya, Quezon

A heritage conservation group has launched an online petition to stop the Department of Public Works and Highways' road-widening project affecting Kalye Heneral Luna, a cultural hub in Sariaya, Quezon.

Read: The stunning, endangered heritage buildings of Sariaya

In its petition on change.org, Pamana ng Lahi Inc. says the DPWH ignored a cease and desist order issued by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in March.

"Nanganganib ang mga natitirang ancestral house, parke, at simbahan ng makasaysayang bayan Sariaya, Quezon na matatagpuan sa Heneral Luna street dahil sa road widening project ng DPWH," the petition wrote.

Affected structures include:

• The Natalio Enriquez ancestral house, designed by architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of painter Juan Luna, in 1931;
• the Art Deco municipal hall, designed by architect Juan Arellano; and
• Sariaya's town park, built in 1748.

Pamana ng Lahi Inc. said that it has attended three roundtable discussions with DPWH, the Sariaya local government and the owners of the affected heritage houses.

According to the group, it was agreed that the DPWH's loading and unloading bays should be kept away from the old structures. However, the group added, the road-widening project continues along Heneral Luna street.

"Ang paglapastangang ito sa makasaysayang Heneral Luna street ay kawalang pagpapahalaga sa kultura, identidad, at kasaysaysan ng Sariaya, Quezon," the petition said.

GMA News Online has tried to get in touch with the DPWH for comment.

Pamana ng Lahi Inc.'s petition has earned 4,923 supporters as of posting time. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News