Lawmaker wants Quiapo declared heritage zone

MANILA, Philippines — A congressman from Manila yesterday renewed his call for Quiapo to be declared as a “heritage zone” so that historical structures and old houses in the area could be preserved.

“I reiterate my continuing push to legislatively declare Quiapo as a heritage zone. I call for multisectoral support to make Quiapo a UNESCO Heritage Site,” said Manila Rep. Joel Chua, referring to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

He appealed for more funds to preserve heritage houses and historical structures in Quiapo, including the San Sebastian Church.

Chua noted that Quiapo could be transformed into a “livable, walkable, bustling and safe interfaith residential and commercial district teeming with responsible residents and entrepreneurs.”

He described Quiapo as a “community of different faiths, a cultural heritage enclave, a transportation nexus and a social barometer of Filipino society.”

“These are the reasons Quiapo is so important to the country and why it merits the media frenzy it gets every year,” he added.