NHCP lifts cease order against Dingle plaza redevelopment

By John Noel E. Herrera

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has lifted the cease-and-desist order (CDO) it issued against the local government of Dingle, Iloilo on the redevelopment of its plaza.

In a letter addressed to Dingle Mayor Rufino P. Palabrica III, NHCP said it lifted the CDO after the local government revised its project construction plan which now “preserves the area as a plaza and maintains a sound vista point for St. John the Baptist Parish Church Complex.”

NHCP added that they are more than willing “to provide technical assistance and guidance to such projects of the LGUs (Local Government Units).”

“Please be reminded that alongside developments, we need to preserve our heritage sites and structures as our legacy for future generations,” part of the letter read.

The Dingle municipal government lauded the decision of the NHCP as what they only want is “for the betterment of the municipality and its constituents.”

“Sa kabuhayon nga na delay, nabaton na gid man naton ang mayad nga balita from NHCP. Ginpaboran gid man sang NHCP ang kung ano ang para sa kaayuhan sang tanan kag ang makapa-ayo sa padayon nga pag-umwad sa banwa sang Dingle. Finally, madayon na gid man ang redevelopment ka aton public plaza,” the statement read.

(After some delays, we finally received the good news from NHCP. NHCP favored what is really for the good of everyone and for the continuous progress of the town of Dingle. Finally, the redevelopment of our public plaza will really push through.)

Despite the ‘go signal’ from the commission, NHCP still recommended Palabrica to hold stakeholders’ meeting “in order to inform and get inputs from individuals, agencies, and NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) that have interests in the preservation and conservation of its heritage sites, and structures.”

Daily Guardian also reached out to Palabrica for his reaction to the decision of NHCP, but there is no response yet as of the writing.

In Nov 2021, NHCP Chairman Rene Escalante issued a cease-and-desist order against the local government of Dingle as the plaza is considered an Important Cultural Property (ICP), and emphasized that it “must be protected from any modifications or alteration.”

Escalante also noted that the NHCP’s Historic Preservation Division is not amenable to the local government’s plan as “it does not conform to the overall architectural character that the St. John the Baptist Church represents, which is a built heritage.”

Some century-old trees were also cut down during that time as preparatory works for the town plaza’s redevelopment, which also received backlash coming from nature advocates and some residents of the town.