Residents of Sariaya, Quezon question DPWH's road-widening project

By Kimberlie Refuerzo

Published November 4, 2015 7:00pm

[UPDATED AS OF: November 11, 2015, 2:00 PM]

During the past few months, a road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways has been receiving ire from concerned residents of Sariaya, Quezon. The said project is morphed to be loading and unloading bays but the construction of such affected some of the properties in Kalye Heneral Luna, a cultural hub in Sariaya, Quezon.

In an interview with Sariaya conservationist Danny de Luna Jr., he states that their group has attended three roundtable discussions with the DPWH, the Sariaya local government and the owners of the affected heritage houses. They have agreed that indeed, cultural properties should be in no way affected with their project.

“Everyone agreed and acknowledged that a cease and desist order was issued by the NCCA [National Commission for Culture and the Arts] last March 2015 and it is in effect until the negotiations and positions from all parties have been settled,” he explained.

However, the road-widening project continues along Heneral Luna street.

De Luna said the properties to be affected by the road-widening project are:

1. Don Natalio Enriquez’s house built in 1922

2. St. Francis of Assisi Church patio that was built in 1748

3. Sariaya Municipal Art Deco building built in 1922 by Juan Arellano

4. Sariaya Heritage Park built in 1920’s

5. and other Presumed Important Cultural properties (PICP).

PICP are properties of more than 50 years old structures, as expressed in Republic Act 10066 or National Curtural Heritage Act of 2009.

Article I, Section 2 of National Cultural Heritage act of 2009 states that the objective of the law is to “protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation's cultural heritage, its property and histories, and the ethnicity of local communities.”

A heritage conservation group has launched an online petition to put a halt on Department of Public Works and Highways' road-widening project. According to Pamana ng Lahi Inc., despite the negotiations that took place between the local government, the road-widening project
is still on-going.

“Ang problema, kahit pa may CEASE AND DESIST ORDER NG NCCA, kahit pa naka TATLONG (3) ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS ang lahat ng panig, at kahit pa may BATAS REPUBLIKA 10066 na nagpo-protekta sa heritage house at old town streetscapes ng lugar, patuloy pa rin ang pagbubungkal at operasyon ng DPWH at LA Clamor Corporation sa Heneral Luna Street” quoting the said petition. As of posting, there are 5,606 who joined the petition.

A Facebook page was also set-up for the said cause updating the people on the happenings of the road-widening project. The latest status update posted last October 6, 2015 reads “Update: As of October 3rd, the diggings of DPWH are within 30-50 meters from the Natalio Enriquez House!! SOS!!”

Natalio Enriquez's house was built in 1922 and is owned by former Governor of Tayabas, (now Quezon Province) Don Natalio Enriquez. It also has an National Historical Commision of the Philippines (NHCP) marker. Historical markers is a plaque or sign signifying a historic interest associated with a specific place.

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

GMA Public Affairs tried to get a comment from the DPWH for comment. However, as of posting, the agency has yet to issue a statement on the said issue.

UPDATE:

In an interview with Assignment Pilipinas last November 6, 2015, DPWH Project Manager Willie Racelis assures everyone that they will adhere to regulations set by National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

"100 percent po, hindi po natin gagalawin ang mga heritage buildings," he said.---BMS/GMA Public Affairs

Tags: webexclusive, sariaya, quezon, departmentofpublicworksandhighways