FOR decades, Magalang town has been known as a cultural tourist spot that houses old-age structures, including two heliograph towers.
The two heliograph towers, or watch towers, in Barangay San Isidro and Barangay Sta. Cruz were declared as “Important Cultural Property” of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).
In celebration of the National Heritage Month, the heliographs were officially turned over by the National Museum of the Philippines to the local government unit on May 27, 2021.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Commissioner Lino Dizon and NMP Representative Carmencita Mariano presented the Certificate of Turnover of the Important Cultural Property Marker to Mayor Magalang Romulo Pecson.
Pecson accepted the appointment of NMP as custodian of the heliograph towers.
Aside from the custody of the heliograph towers, officials also inaugurated the ICP markers at the town plaza.
Magalang heliographs
As a national property, the heliograph towers cannot be demolished without the permission of NMP and local authorities.
“Hindi lingid sa ating kaalaman na ang Magalang ay tanyag sa mga pasyalan at okasyon dito na sumasalamin sa kultura ng mga Capampangan. Makakaasa kayo na ang ating administrasyon ay patuloy na pagyayamanin at pangangalagaan ang kulturang nakaukit sa mga estruktura tulad ng ating heliograph towers at sa mga pagdiriwang sa Magalang,” Pecson said during the turnover ceremonies.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala sa mga ito, maipapasa at maipapamana natin ang ating kasaysayan sa mga susunod na henerasyon na Magaleño. Sa paraang ito, kanilang mauunawaan ang makabuluhang kasaysayan ng ating bayan,” he added.
According to Magalang Tourism Officer Ryan Miranda, said the Heliograph Towers were built in 1863 by General Ricardo Monet, a commandant of War of the Spanish Regime in the Philippines.
Miranda said the towers were strategically located in the towns of Magalang, Concepcion and Mabalacat.
"They were constructed to serve as stations of communication. They have small mirrors on top made to turn upon both a horizontal and vertical axis, mounted on a tripod, so arranged as to make the flashes appear and disappear in rapid succession," he said.
He added that the towers used by the Spanish army and by it, messages may be transmitted much faster than with flags or torches and can be used at longer ranges.
Pecson has also donated P150,000 to the San Bartolome Parish Church to serve as funds for the preservation of the old-age church.
“They can use the funds for church repair works because we understand the historical value of our local church,” Pecson said.
On April 30, the town celebrated its 416th Founding Anniversary.