Cebu City to take over operations, maintenance of Heritage of Cebu

The Cebu City Government will soon take full responsibility of the operation, maintenance and improvement of the Heritage of Cebu.

This, after the city council, during its regular session last week, approved a proposed resolution of councilor Arsenio Pacaña authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc., represented by its chairperson Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

The MOA paves the way for the turnover of the historic landmark to the city government, which deemed it feasible that they be the one to take care of the Heritage of Cebu after receiving criticisms from some sectors because of the landmark's lamentable condition.

At present, the city government's participation in the maintenance of the said historical landmark is confined only to the perimeter fence of the park but not the monument itself, according to Pacaña.

"The City Government, in a bid to preserve and develop some of its historical sites which are also prime tourist sites in itself, has embarked on a beautification program focusing on certain landmark sites like the Heritage of Cebu as part of its priority program," he said.

Under the draft MOA, it shall also be the task of the city government to provide appropriate security services for the said landmark.

The city shall also assume the payment of all utility bills that may be incurred, as well as account for all operational costs and financial obligations relative to the preservation, proper maintenance, administration and the development of the said landmark.

The Heritage of Cebu, which is located in barangay Parian, is a vital cornerstone to the glorious historic past and the richness of the Cebuanos' cultural heritage from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod.

The said multi-million project is the work of national artist Edgardo Castillo. Its construction started in 1996 and it was inaugurated on December 8, 2000.

The project was funded by the city government, the Department of Tourism, the late Senator Marcelo Fernan and by Castillo and his friends. - Cristina C. Birondo