Culture commission stops road project
SARIAYA, Quezon –The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop the road widening project along Daang Maharlika Road that would demolish the fence of a heritage house. This was disclosed by a spokesman of the Sariaya Heritage Council yesterday.
The order was in response to a complaint that the fence of the Natalio Enriquez Heritage Mansion along the Maharlika highway would be demolished to make way for a road widening project. The complaint was filed by Rina Marquez, daughter of former Quezon Representative Bienvenido O. Marquez Jr., co- owner of the mansion.
Danny de Luna, president of the Sariaya Heritage Council, Inc. said that the order of the NCCA favored their advocacy to save heritage structures.
The Natalio Enriquez Heritage House is a famous landmark along the Quezon Highway. It has been featured in many movies and has housed many historical figures and events.
The road widening project would also affect the front areas of the municipal hall, town plaza, St. Francis of Assisi Parish church complex.
De Luna said the order is based on the NCCA resolution No. 2014-443 to 448. The order acknowledged the written request of Mayor Rosauro V. Masilang for a dialogue of involved parties to comply with the requirement of the law with regards to the heritage houses and important cultural property.
The DPWH Quezon 2nd Engineering District Office has a pending infrastructure project in a portion of Daang Maharlika Road of Sariaya.
Prior to this order, De Luna said, the NCCA made an on- site inspection confirming that the mansion is a heritage house declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The NCCA order said that the heritage houses and important cultural properties are entitled to protection from modification and demolition pursuant to section 5 of Republic Act 10066 (National Heritage Act).
The order was addressed to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Undersecretary Romeo Momo, Region 4 regional executive director Samson Hebra, and Quezon 2nd district engineer Nestor Cleofas. The order also issued a reminder that “failure to comply is a criminal offense under R.A 10066.”