BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE -- It has been a year now since part of the old capitol building was demolished to give way to the construction of a new Provincial Capitol.
However, on April 25, 2013, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines issued a cease and desist order against the construction and upheld August 2013.
NHC chairman Maria Serena Diokno informed Provincial Governor Leonard Mayaen suspension of all activities affecting the old capitol building while "reiterating the need to preserve the old structure and the components already dismantled for integration into the new development."
The provincial government was earlier given options in the dismantling of the old building to preserve the building and reconstruct the interior with concrete or steel framework; dismantle the wooden building wing and reconstruct its architecture using simulated concrete material; and to dismantle the wooden building and integrate its facade into a new replacement building.
The above options required prior approval from the NHCP of the architecture design and extensive photo documentation before, during and after intervention.
NHC earlier suggested for “a new and appropriate sized capitol building be constructed at another site to accommodate the various offices and functions of the Provincial Government while the original front wing of the old capitol building is preserved as a provincial museum, cultural and tourism office or training and conference center.”
It was earlier reported the NHC gave the go signal to demolish the historical structure.
In the midst of NHC’s cease and desist order, the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc called for the lifting of the CDO of the NHP noting there was already partial demolition of the old building.
Diokno forwarded “any resolution favoring the lifting of the CDO would have no effect on the CDO and would not excuse the Provincial Government from being compelled to comply therewith.”
Republic Act 10066 or the National Heritage Act of 2009 provides tall structures more than 50 years old are presumed Important Cultural Property. Buildings having historical values are potential tourist attractions.
Calls to preserve the old structure were noted in 2011 and from some women’s groups in 2013.
The capitol building holds a rich historical story having been constructed in 1908 with the south end serving as the official residence of the governor. A demolished fireplace composed of bricks is what is left of the area.
The veranda was made of wood and the wide living room, which later served as the legislative hall and again later as the Lang-ay hall, served as sleeping quarters of visitors.
Then called the Bontoc Government Building, the two-storey rectangle shaped building was protected by red brick columns and walls at the first floor while the wall and columns of the second floor were of wooden materials.
A two storey building was built in the 1930s at the back and was connected to the main building by wooden footbridges. This housed the Assessor and Health offices later demolished and a four storey concrete building constructed sometime in 2007 to 2010.
The right and left wings of the main building were appended in the 1970s during the incumbency of Gov. Jaime Gomez. The right wing became the Office of the Governor while the left wing was for the vice governor.
In 1989 under the late Alfredo “Binky” Lamen Jr. who was then the acting governor, the old brick columns at the first floor were changed to concrete and finished with a brick-like design.
The veranda at the second floor was also rehabilitated during the term of then Gov. Maximo Dalog where the wooden porch and railings were concreted.
What remains in the old capitol building are the fireplace and the attic.
The rest were renovations done in different periods of time - veranda, columns, and the left and right wings- of the frontal Capitol building. (Gina Dizon)