Bulakeños unite to keep Barasoain on legal tender

Malolos City — Thousands of Bulakenyos have signed a petition  calling on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to continue printing the image of the historic Barasoain Church in any legal tender.

Monsignor Angel Santiago, parish priest of Barasoain Church, led the signature campaign that started last September and has gathered a huge number of signatories, including parishioners under the Diocese of Malolos and tourists that visit the church.

Santiago said that Bishop Jose Francisco Oliveros, Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza and leading historians in the province, are  some of the major supporters of the signature drive.

“There is a need to continue printing the image of the Barasoain Church because it serves as a reminder to younger Filipinos about the historic value of the church,” Santiago said.

He said the BSP has discontinued the printing of the 10-peso bill that contains the picture of the famous church, as the paper bill is already being replaced by P10 coins.

Santiago said the government can opt to have the Barasoain church printed in other legal tender.

Santiago’s sentiments were seconded by Isagani Giron, former president of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan, who said Barasoain Church did not only serve as the home of the first Philippine Congress that gave birth to the first democratic republic in Asia but is also a place where the first widely accepted Constitution of the Philippines was drafted and ratified.

Giron added that the Barasaoin Church was where Emilio  Aguinaldo took oath as president of the Republic, and also former President Joseph Estrada in 1998.

Other parishioners also urged the local government to join the signature campaign.