City to run, maintain heritage monument

CEBU – The Cebu City Council amended a resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to forge an agreement turning over the operation and upkeep of the Heritage of Cebu Monument from the Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc. to the Cebu City government.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Arsenio Pacaña, will now include the cultural site in the budget allocation for next year.

As a matter of procedure, the City Council has authorized Acting Mayor Michael Rama to forge the said agreement on behalf of Osmeña who is still in the United States for chemotherapy.

According to the resolution, the monument located in barangay Parian is a “vital cornerstone to the glorious historic past and richness of Cebu’s cultural heritage.”

CHFI led by Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal, in recognizing the importance of maintaining and preserving the Heritage of Cebu which is its project, manifested intention to turn over the administration, operation, and maintenance of the said monument to Cebu City.

The multimillion-peso project was started in 1996 by national artist Eduardo Castrillo, co-chaired by Vidal along with the City of Cebu and the Department of Tourism.

It was funded by the late Senator Marcelo Fernan with Castrillo who used personal funds.

The Heritage of Cebu Monument is one of the drop-off points of tour groups both foreign and local. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)