THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has identified the old Davao Airport and the Waterfront Insular Hotel as notable sites in Davao City as these structures were designed by renowned national artist for architecture, Leandro Locsin.
Patmei Ruivivar, vice president of the Davao Historical Society (DHS), which is spearheading the Davao Cultural Mapping, an initiative that aims to identify and preserve important cultural properties and heritage sites in Davao City, bared this during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum held Monday, August 14, at SM City Davao.
Ruivivar said the old Davao Airport and the Waterfront Insular Hotel will be granted priority funding and protection from the government.
Private owners of culturally significant structures will also benefit, receiving incentives such as tax breaks.
She underscored that structures created by national artists are automatically deemed important cultural properties under the Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act. This includes buildings aged over 50 years. The government safeguards such structures, which cannot be demolished without proper authorization. Furthermore, the government is responsible for generating funds for their maintenance.
NCCA's visit to Davao unveiled a wealth of important cultural properties. Ruivivar encouraged the active participation of Dabawenyos in this endeavor, as the community's input is pivotal in determining the cultural significance of sites and structures.
Examples like San Pedro Square showcase the outcome of this effort. This area has been declared an important cultural property due to its historical significance — the City Hall, the city's oldest building, stands there, and the San Pedro Cathedral features an Ang Kiukok painting. Osmeña Park, once a settlement of Datu Bago, is also proposed by DHS as a historical zone.
The process involves the community, the city council's declaration, and recognition from the national government through NCCA, which typically takes around three months.
Apart from Leandro Locsin's creations, the city houses works by other national artists such as Napoleon Abueva in Malagos (National Artist for Sculpture), Ang Kiukok (National Artist for Visual Arts), and Victorio Edades (National Artist for Painting).
Ruivivar said, "By promoting our heritage, we raise awareness of its cultural significance."
In an interview on Tuesday morning, August 15, at the Sanguniang Panlungsod, Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre noted that NCCA is particularly interested in Locsin's works. However, Alejandre also mentioned balancing heritage preservation and economic factors.
He acknowledged that, unlike other countries, the Philippines might encounter challenges in subsidizing these cultural sites, especially those owned by the private sector. RGP