Baguio council wants to buy Tiong San, BPI, Plaza bldgs

Malcolm Square heritage zone 

BAGUIO CITY – The city council aired intention to buy Tiong San, BPI, Plaza Theatre, PS Bank buildings here as the legislative body  approved on first reading a proposed ordinance declaring Malcolm Square (where the buildings are adjacent) as heritage zone for its historical, natural, cultural, educational, aesthetic and economic value to the city.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Elmer Datuin stated that a heritage zone shall refer to historical, anthropological, archeological, artistic, geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the country as declared by the National Museum or the National Historical Institute (NH), while a built heritage shall refer to man-made historic environment such as houses, factories, commercial buildings, places of worship, cemeteries, monuments and built infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges, physically created places such as gardens, mining sites and stock routes and other places of historical significance, such as archaeological sites.

           The local legislative measure added after the restoration of Malcolm Square, its condition shall be maintained and no alteration shall be introduced, except re-painting or other repair works for restoration purposes only.

            At the same time, the proposal said that Tiong San Bazaar, Tesmelitas (former U-Need), Abellera building, BPI Family Bank, Plaza Theatre building and PS Bank building, shall also be declared and maintained as built heritage to preserve whatever is left whatever is left of the central business district which is of historical significance.

            The ordinance said Malcolm Square shall be maintained through the implementation of adoptive re-use of cultural property, appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, and natural bodies of water, canals, paths and barangays within the locality, to be as close to their appearance at the time the areas were of most importance to Philippine history as determined by the National Historical Institute, while local government units shall document and sustain all socio-cultural practices such as, but not limited to, traditional celebrations, historical battles, recreation of customs, and the re-enactment of battles and other local customs that are unique to a locality.

            Datuin claimed the owners of the earlier named buildings shall retain title, use, and rights over the property, however, if they decide to undertake the renovation, repair, or any form of construction, a plan for such construction, renovation or repair shall be submitted to the City government which shall include measures to preserve the original appearance of the said buildings, especially the façade of the buildings.

            Should the owners of the buildings decide for whatever reasons to sell, convey, alienate, or in any way transfer the property, or the ownership and title, the ordinance stated the City government shall be notified of the proposed sale and shall be given the first option for the purchase of the structures. – Dexter A. See