Dondon defends iconic watch tower demolition

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros defended the city government’s decision allowing the demolition of the iconic clock tower on Osmeña Boulevard in Fuente Osmeña.

Hontiveros, chairman of the cultural and historical affairs committee of the City Council, the tower fell short of the required number of years to be considered a heritage landmark and enjoy the protection under the Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act.

Hontiveros explained that under the law, a landmark must be at least 50 years old to be a cultural heritage.

“Unya kay wa man sya kaabot sa 50 years (requirement), so dili gyud sya ma kuan (covered) sa RA 10066,” said Hontiveros.

“To be honest, wala gyud syay protection, ang amo lang ana is to preserve the structure sa clock, ing-ana ba,” he added.

The acting vice mayor said the City Council would have wanted to preserve the structure but the Department of Transportation (DOTr) requested a letter of no objection from them to remove the tower to give way for the ongoing construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Hontiveros said they were forced not to object the demolition since it is not covered in the protection of RA 10066. He said they learned that the clock tower is only 40 years old having been built in 1984.

The clock tower was built by the Lions Club and was eventually donated to the city government. Hontiveros said they asked permission from the Lions Club before allowing the demolition of the tower on Saturday evening, August 3.

According to Hontiveros, they have initially recommended transferring the structure to other area like Plaza Independencia but they were confronted with financial challenge to relocate the tower because the DOTr has no budget for it.

Hontiveros assured that other landmarks that are considered cultural heritage will be protected by the city government. To ensure that these cultural heritage are protected, the Office of the Building Official (OBO) has been ordered to conduct a “heritage patrol”. (CEBU NEWS)