Ancestral house owners seek help against demolition

CEBU, Philippines - Owners of ancestral homes along M. J. Cuenco that will be affected by the road widening asked the Cebu City’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission to declare their homes historical landmarks.

By being declared as heritage houses, the residents hope that their homes will be protected against demolition under Republic Act 10066 or the Act Providing for the Protection and Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage, Strengthening the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its Affiliated Cultural Agencies.

Section 8.4 of R.A. 10066, which defines those that can be considered important cultural property, says “unless declared or its presumption removed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, works or national heroes,….or structures at least 50 years old shall be considered important cultural property.

The law gives protection to important cultural properties against exportation, modification or demolition.Ancestral homes, whose owners are seeking its protection against the road widening, include the century old Doña Querubin ancestral home, whose façade and structure will be affected; century-old Nersas Macasero ancestral home; 90-year old Velasquez ancestral home; 90-year old Teves ancestral home; and the 90-year old Ancajas ancestral home.

At least 26 residents signed a petition strongly opposing the measurement for the road widening that they claim would eat up bigger space on the left side where the ancestral homes are located.

In her letter to CHAC, Nersas Macasero said her pre-hispanic house should be preserved because of its historical value.

“As far as I know, said building was constructed as a residence in Spanish time. During the Japanese Occupation, it was utilized as a hospital. At the time of the liberation, it was used as an extended classroom of the Mabolo Elementary School,” Macasero said.

She purchased the property in 1987 and decided to preserve the structure while using it for her business. It is now a brick shop.

The Dominga Querubin ancestral home was reportedly built during the 19th century and has survived the Japanese and the American occupations. It has also survived the war and other catastrophes.

The Department of Public Works and Highways had sent them notices for the start of the widening supposedly this month.

Macasero was offered P868,678.40 for the value of the terrace and shed of her house that will be affected.

But the residents are still appealing to DPWH to change the measurement so both sides will have equal areas to widen.

The residents already wrote the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts Office in Manila and are awaiting its response.

CHAC is yet to deliberate the request. Only the NCCA may declare those houses as heritage structures while the local government unit may endorse any petition. — /LPM (FREEMAN)