Balay na Bato restoration to boost Antique attractions

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Once fully restored, the historic Balay na Bato on Gobierno St. here will be another tourism attraction for the province.

Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao said in an interview Thursday she was elated that a deed of usufruct was finally inked between the provincial government and the Gella-Azurin family, since it will pave the way for the restoration of the old stone house.

The Gella-Azurin family was represented by their grandson, Alex Azurin, during the signing of the document on Wednesday at the provincial capitol.

“The Balay na Bato’s restoration into its original look will start before December,” the governor said.

The two-story Spanish house, also known as the Casa Gella-Azurin, sits on a 504-square meter lot used to be owned by prominent Antiqueños from the Gella-Azurin family.

During the World War II, it was used as barracks by Japanese soldiers and to torture captured locals.

Cadiao said the Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Antique Provincial Tourism Office, will take charge of the implementation of the project which has a P5-million fund from the National Historical Institute (NHI).

“The project is implemented through Senator Loren Legarda who looked for the funding,” she said.

She said Legarda, who has roots in Antique, had long been prodding for the project because the heritage house is one of the structures in the province that had survived the test of time. (PNA)