Patria de Cebu: Let NHCP decide building’s fate - Archdiocese

CEBU, Philippines —  The Archdiocese of Cebu will leave it up to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) the fate of the disputed Patria de Cebu building.

For the archdiocese, the NHCP has the final say, being the expert on history and cultural heritage.

Many initiatives have recently emerged appealing to the archdiocese to preserve the decades-old building, which heritage advocates believe is an important structure, and to stop its supposed demolition.

Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Cebu archdiocese, said the arguments will only lead nowhere with the two parties having opposing stand.

With that, the Cebu archdiocese would entrust it to the NHCP commissioners, with their expertise, to mediate on the issue and give its decision or final verdict, he said.

Tan added the archdiocese relies on the judgment of the NHCP, which, for him, has the higher authority over heritage-related concerns.

He also said that in order for the issue to be reconciled, the NHCP may study on the matter and eventually decide what needs to be done to the building.

Heritage advocates had pleaded to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to keep the main façade of the decades-old building.

Palma earlier remained with the collective decision of the administration board to rather follow the plan of the Cebu Landmasters Inc., which the Cebu archdiocese had signed a lease agreement with for the redevelopment project.

With this, the old and existing building fronting the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral has to be demolished to pave way for the mixed-use development.

Tearing down the building, which, for heritage advocates, carries a historical importance, has attracted many initiatives asking the Catholic hierarchy to reconsider its decision.

The recent one is a signature campaign or a petition appeal spearheaded by the University of San Carlos (USC), which is administered by the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) or the Society of Divine Word.

In a letter to Palma, Architect Joseph Michael Espina, dean of USC-School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (SAFAD), recognized the importance of Patria which was erected because of the efforts done by SVD Priest Bernard Wrocklage.

He said Wrocklage organized several students and volunteers to construct the building, wherein an Ave Maria prayer was recited for each block.

In the letter, he, with the collective appeal from the signatories, has asked the archbishop to stop the demolition.

"The Patria de Cebu is not an ordinary building - it is a repository of the many historical accounts, memories and sensibilities of Cebuanos as it continues with its mission until today. We find it disconcerting that the very principles on conservation which we advocate here in school may be greatly impugned by this contention. Losing another cultural treasure during your watch as our (Cebu chief) bishop will be a big disappointment to the USC community." — GAN, (FREEMAN)