CEBU City’s ambitious heritage district plan awaits guidelines from the heritage council for Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s immediate implementation.
Garcia authored the ordinance creating the Cebu City Heritage Council (CCHC), which is tasked with preserving, conserving, and promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Cebu City. It acts as a guardian of the city’s past, working to ensure that its historical and cultural treasures are protected, appreciated, and contribute to the city’s present and future.
Garcia expects the guidelines to address building height restrictions, construction materials, and other aspects. He emphasized the delicate nature of preserving and conserving heritage sites, explaining the need for thorough study before implementation.
“I don’t think nga naay mga challenges, I think gitan-aw lang gyud ni pag-ayo sa heritage council. Dili man gud ni ingon ana ka sayon, you know, we are talking about preservation and conservation of our heritage sites (I think this was just carefully looked into by the heritage council. This isn’t that simple, you know, we are talking about the preservation and conservation of our heritage sites),” he explained.
“I think this is a very delicate matter kay daghan pa kaayo’g kinahanglan estudyohan before we can really make the ordinance and implement it (because there are still a lot of things that need to be studied before we can really make the ordinance and implement it),” he added.
He highlighted the importance of the heritage district in preserving Cebu City’s identity as the oldest city and the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. He stressed the need for Cebuanos, particularly the youth, to learn about their city’s rich history.
The proposed heritage district will encompass a significant area, including the intersection of V. Rama Avenue and N. Bacalso Avenue, proceeding to P. Del Rosario Street, then to Imus Street, and continuing to the intersection of General Maxilom Avenue and Tejero Creek until the Cebu Port Authority at Pier 6.
From Pier 6, it will continue toward the shorelines of Barangay Sto. Niño and Quezon Boulevard.
It will also cover Abellana Street and the intersections of Gen. Gines Street, R. Magsaysay Street, and JM Basa Street, before returning to the starting point at the V. Rama-N. Bacalso intersection.
The heritage district council will be headed by the city mayor or vice mayor, with two Cebu City councilors representing as vice chairpersons for the Committee on Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, and a private sector representative to be appointed by the mayor.
The mayor hopes that the council will provide the guidelines soon so the city can begin the process of preserving its rich history. / JPS