City to prioritize heritage monument's rehabilitation

CEBU - In response to Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s concern for the need to rehabilitate the P33.3 million Cebu Heritage monument in barangay Parian, the city government declared it would include the monument in its priorities.

Acting City Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday that the needed P3 million for the rehabilitation of the structure can be achieved through networking.

During the recent turnover ceremony of the monument from the Cebu Heritage Foundation Inc. to the city government, Vidal had urged the latter to look for around P3 million funds for its rehabilitation, as quoted by its creator Eduardo Castrillo.

“Of course, its reality will just be in a matter of time since we just have to connect with entities… networking can handle that,” Rama said.

Through the Cebuanos’ “bayanihan and barangayan” spirit, the acting mayor said the structure will be restored and preserved.

The Cebu Heritage Monument was built in 1996 by Castrillo, with the use of the funds coming from the office of the late senator Marcelo B. Fernan.

Castrillo, out of loyalty and love of art, also used his own money for the realization of the project.

Six years after it was built, the monument was turned over to the City Government during the term of former Mayor Alvin Garcia.

Vidal said the monument is everything about Cebu and should be preserved since the city is “monument-starved.”

The Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. –Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)