NHC gives go signal for building of The Capitol

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province- The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) has given the go-signal to Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan to build the demolished part of the provincial capitol and restoration of the intact half.

The NHCP chairperson Maria Serena Diokno in her October letter to Lacwasan said the cease and desist order preventing further demolition of the old Capitol  building shall be lifted with  a “reconstruction plan of the already demolished building and restoration plan of the intact part” be  submitted.

NHCP is  mandated to determine manner of restoration of  important  cultural properties as provided under RA 10086 to  “undertake and prescribe the manner of restoration, conservation and protection of the country's historical movable and immovable objects”; and  “determine the manner of identification, maintenance, restoration, conservation and preservation of historical sites, shrines, structures and monuments”.

With the issuance of the  CDO three years ago, the Commission presented three options to the administration then of the late former Gov. Leonard Mayaen  when the half part of the capitol building was  demolished.

NHCP’s options given in dismantling the old building were: 1) preserve the building shell and reconstruct the interior with concrete or steel framework, 2) dismantle wooden building and reconstruct its architecture using simulated concrete material and 3) dismantle the wooden building and integrate its façade into a new replacement building.

The above options require prior approval of the architecture design by the NHCP and extensive photo documentation before, during and after intervention.

Rep. Maximo Dalog in his letter to Diokno early October urged  the NHC to order the provincial  government to go for  option 1 to “preserve the building shell and reconstruct the interior with concrete or steel framework.”

The favorable option of the congressman comes in the midst of a “win- win solution as it will grant the desire of those who want construction of a new provincial capitol building and at the same time preserve its original  state to the contentment of those opposed to its demolition”.

The provincial administration then opted for  Option 3  which did not take off to “dismantle the wooden building and integrate its façade into a new replacement building” with the opposition of some individuals and women groups coupled by  the  issuance of a  cease and desist order from the NHCP three years ago.

Dalog urged  the NHCP to hasten the process to be undertaken so issues surrounding the capitol “be finally put to rest for the good of our people, the provincial government and the preservation of our cultural  heritage.”

***

A forum here on  consumer issues  conducted by the  Department of  Trade and Industry with representatives from government agencies and local media noted the regional  health office lacks laboratory  facilities to test food toxicity.

Ceasar  Guillet of the Pharmaceuticals unit of the regional office of the Department of Health  detailed at the  Provincial Health Office said  tests still have to be sent to the central office at Manila.

The observation came about as diseases in the present such as cancer and diabetes and those being treated with dialysis and chemotherapy are noted to be food-related. Most food in the present are laden with preservatives to include frozen meat and 3 in 1 coffee.

The Food and Drug Authority of the Department of Health is tasked to check on safe substances for human intake be this solid food or liquid.

DTI Provincial Director Juliet Lucas urged local government officials to address complaints of consumers on the issue forwarded to regulatory office for action.

Bobby Changat , senior staff of the Provincial DTI also urged consumers to  register their complains should there be anything suspicious or hazardous  that affects  the life and  services due consumers, including deceptive and unfair business practises.

DTI officials also advise consumers to report any exploitative increase of costs of consumer goods by business owners who take advantage of any calamity to raise prices this being against the price regulation law.