NCCA sets first hearing on Baguio City Hall Gounds Improvement Project case

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has summoned representatives of the Bagiuo City local government and Baguio Heritage Foundation Inc. to a hearing to take up the cease and desist order issued against the improvement of the Baguio City Hall grounds project.

 

The hearing is set for June 23 at the NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila.

 

In its order dated June 3 and signed by Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr., the NCCA instructed the local government to stop the construction of a perimeter fence around the city hall building and other structures in the flagpole area incuding a stage and a museum.

In issuing the order, the NCCA said Baguio City Hall is protected from alterations under the law because it is a presumed important cultural property (PICP).

 

However, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in its letter to Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan dated May 21, has said that it "interposes no objection" to the improvements.

 

According to the letter signed by NHCP chair Maria Serena Diokno, the construction of perimeter fence is "acceptable because it is made of see-through grilles whose purpose is to secure the city hall premises from vandals, intruders and looters."

It also finds no objection on the improvement of the flagpole area as it "does not obstruct the dominance and prominence of the City Hall building."

 

The project includes construction of an enclosure around the city hall building, and structures in the flagpole area such as a stage and a museum. — Tricia Zafra/RSJ, GMA News