By Jun Elias
AGOO, La Union – A private firm has filed a
petition with the Supreme Court (SC) asking for a temporary restraining order
(TRO) against the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for
stopping a road project here.
In opposing the project, the NCAA cited the alleged
destruction of church-owned structures believed to have historical
significance.
In a petition filed on Sept. 7, Russell Bernal of
the Ciara and Berson Construction and Trading, said the cease and desist order
issued by NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon has delayed the completion of the
project, resulted in fund losses and deprived the public of the benefits of
development.
The cease and desist order directed the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop the demolition of plant
boxes in front of the Agoo Basilica and the
concrete fence at the Plaza delaVirgen.
The demolition started on Feb. 20 to pave the way
for the construction and widening of the highway.
The church, led by Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, obtained
the cease order on Feb. 21.
DPWH officials and representatives of the
construction firm questioned the order, saying the NCCA issued it without
conducting ocular inspection.
De Leon based the order on the claims of the
Catholic Church that the fence has cultural and historical importance.
He cited the National Cultural Heritage Act
of 2009, which states that all structure at least 50 years old are considered
important
cultural property and are protected from demolition.
The fence was reportedly built only in 1991.
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