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Tuesday, November 04, 2003
San Fernando city hall inaugurated
By Albert B. Lacanlale
AFTER undergoing renovation, the San Fernando City Hall was formally inaugurated Thursday.
In the morning ceremonies attended by Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid, San Fernando Mayor Rey B. Aquino presented to the public the newly-renovated City Hall.
According to Ivan Anthony Henarez, city tourism officer, the freshly-painted city hall is the closest approximation of the original structure constructed during the Spanish era.
Henarez, together with another historian, Geronimo F. del Rosario, Jr., said although the city tourism office would like to copy the former "Casa Tribunal," the facility should adopt some changes to comply with modern engineering standards.
Brief history
Back in 1899, the original building, along with the San Fernando Cathedral, was burnt by the fleeing forces of Gen. Antonio Luna to prevent the Americans from using the strategically positioned building as stronghold.
In 1917, municipal president Antonio Abad Santos raised funds to rebuild the structure with only the adobe blocks left by the fire set by Luna.
During the Japanese occupation, the building was again set ablaze forcing then mayor Vivencio Cuyugan - while in hiding from the invaders - to transfer the seat temporarily in his home in 1945.
Henarez said the succeeding mayors - Jose Quiwa and Armando Biliwang - tried to refurbish the City Hall.
However, Henarez added, it was with the two mayors that the historical significance of the structure was destroyed.
Historical value
With the present administration's bid to make San Fernando a tourism hub in the province, Aquino directed city officials to research the city's cultural and historical heritage.
In his recent Executive Order, Aquino said the City Government "recognizes the contributions of San Fernando to the history of the nation and the importance of preserving local heritage as a contribution to the national cultural fabric."
The City Government has already revived several known historical sites in the city including old houses of prominent Kapampangan figures and other places.
(November 4, 2003 issue)
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