Demolition of memorial park stirs uproar in Catbalogan City

CONCERNED residents and the Catbalogan City Government have expressed opposition and “deep concern” following the alleged unauthorized construction activities at the city’s Pieta Park, a registered cultural property under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and a declared open space by the city government.

The 30-year-old landmark, fronting the St. Bartholomew Church, served as a memorial park for the locals who perished during the 1987 MV Doña Paz sea tragedy.

“Upon receiving reports that the area had already been fenced, with heavy equipment deployed and initial mobilization underway, the City, through the City Engineering Office—also acting as the Office of the Building Official tasked to enforce the National Building Code—immediately issued a Notice of Violation dated April 3, 2025,” Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy said in a Facebook post on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Despite the city government’s notice, the demolition activities at the site continued on the morning of April 5, the mayor added.

According to various media reports, a popular fast-food chain will be constructed in the said area.

Samar State University Professor Jhonil Bajado, co-chair of the Catbalogan Culture and Arts Council, said the La Pieta, highlighting Michelangelo's famous masterpiece representing Mary carrying the dead body of Jesus after it was taken down from the cross, was funded by the Katbaloganon Foundation, Inc. (KFI).

The sculpture, said to be a replica of La Pieta bought from Italy and was unveiled on August 22, 1995, was KFI’s first project under the presidency of the Catbaloganon actress Tessie Pullin, popularly known as Tessie Tomas.

“I abhor this deliberate disregard of Catbalogan's heritage and historical sites… While the Catholic Church claims to own that portion of the site, this was originally considered as a public plaza for the Catbaloganons. In fact, during the Spanish period, this area was even used as a cemetery plot for prominent people of Catbalogan,” Bajado said.

“Although the ownership belongs to the diocese, what a shame that we readily give up something that has not only historical value but also defines our ethos as a people! In exchange of what?!,” added the university professor in his social media post.

Meanwhile, Uy disclosed that “in a phone call with the property owner facilitated on-site by the foreman, the owner admitted knowledge of the lack of permits and acknowledged ordering the demolition, including cutting trees without the appropriate permits.”

“He committed to submit the necessary documents for permitting by Monday. Following this exchange, the foreman again committed to stop all ongoing work,” the mayor said in a public statement.

Uy maintained that the city government “acted promptly and decisively in line with existing laws and ordinances,” while assuring the public of the city government’s commitment “to preserving the heritage and cultural spaces of Catbalogan while ensuring that all development activities strictly comply with the law.”

“We are also actively engaging with the City Culture and Arts Council, and have initiated discussions with officers of the Katbaloganon Foundation Inc., which spearheaded the original establishment of Pieta Park, to determine appropriate courses of action moving forward,” the mayor added.

As of press time, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog, which has civil territorial jurisdiction over the province of Samar, has yet to issue a statement over the incident. (Ronald O. Reyes/SunStar Philippines)