NHI declares Bonifacio shrine in Caloocan as landmark

MANILA, Philippines - The National Historical Institute (NHI) proclaimed yesterday a memorial of Andres Bonifacio in Monumento, Caloocan City as a historical and cultural landmark.

NHI chairman Ambeth Ocampo signed the certificate and unveiled a historical marker at the shrine as the country observed Bonifacio’s 146th birth anniversary.

“After 76 years, only under this administration that a historical marker officially recognizing the famous Bonifacio monument here in Caloocan as a historic and cultural landmark of our country is unveiled,” Caloocan City Enrico Echiverri said.

Caloocan City also commemorated yesterday the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Bonifacio monument, a masterpiece in marble and bronze done in 1933 by national artist Guillermo Tolentino.

Echiverri said he informed Ocampo that the shrine was in a state of disrepair. Ocampo, who last saw the marker 22 years ago, said what was written on the old marker was already faded.

Ocampo said only the NHI was authorized under the law to do anything with the shrine. Local government officials, even with the purest of intentions, cannot tinker with the shrine without the NHI’s approval, he said.

Ocampo said during the martial law years, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos thought of transferring the monument to Rizal Park and have it face Jose Rizal’s shrine.

He said this did not push through because the NHI did not approve it. “Baka matalbugan daw (it might upstage) Rizal’s shrine,” Ocampo said, adding that the Bonifacio shrine is one of the most beautiful of its kind.

With the new marker, the NHI also issued a certificate authorizing the local government to “take care of the marker” and make improvements on it when necessary.       – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude