Smart City program won’t affect heritage structures

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros has assured that no heritage structures will be sacrificed when the city government starts the move to transform Cebu into a “Smart City”.

As reported by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), Hontiveros said that once the development starts here in the city, historical sites, natural heritages, etc. will not be affected along with the economic development.

The vice mayor made the statement during the opening of the four-day cultural mapping training-workshop at the Cebu City Museum on Monday, May 16, 2022.

Hontiveros is currently the chairman of the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

He said he already met with individuals who want to invest in the city and told them that the city government wants to maintain the buildings that can be considered as heritage of Cebuanos even with the new era.

Mayor Michael Rama, for his part, instructed the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CHAO) to maintain the Cebu City Museum because it is one of the city’s pride, instead of looking like a warehouse.

Rama said this is to preserve the beauty of the museum as a repository of culture, art, history and heritage and tourism of the Cebuanos.

At least 35 individuals composed of architects, engineers, members of the academe, as well as culture and heritage advocates participated in the four-day training sponsored by CHAO. — FPL (FREEMAN)