National Museum saves old Malolos water tower

LEGACY The National Museum has stopped the Malolos City government from demolishing this 91-year-old water tower, which local heritage advocates seek to preserve. CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

CITY OF MALOLOS—The National Museum of the Philippines has stopped the city government from demolishing a 91-year-old water tower, citing it as a heritage facility worth preserving.

The 6-meter-high tower, Aguas Potables, is opposite the Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion (Malolos Cathedral) and a few meters from City Hall and the public market. Bamboo scaffoldings had been raised around the structure as workers prepared to tear it down.

Mayor Christian Natividad has said that the water tower has weakened over the years and may pose a threat should an earthquake strike the province. He cited a study conducted by the Bulacan State University’s engineering department.

The National Museum, an affiliated agency of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and tasked with preserving, conserving and protecting all cultural properties, issued the order on Oct. 18 to stop the demolition of Aguas Potables, which it considers the city’s cultural heritage.

The order followed consultations with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and heritage advocates Bulacan Salinlahi Inc.

Built in 1923 during the American colonial period to supply water for Malolos residents, the tower could serve as a museum office if the city government pursues restoration and rehabilitation, said Isagani Giron, who heads Bulacan Salinlahi.

Giron and Alex Balagtas, head of NHCP’s Bulacan and Zambales cluster, had earlier asked the National Museum to intervene.

Giron said the issue facing the city government was whether it should invest more in preserving the structure rather than express concern about its stability.

“We don’t want the water tower to be a threat to safety, but maybe it will benefit future generations more if we invest in its preservation. Maybe we can find a way to keep it,” he said.

Engineering officials said the city government would need to spend at least P28 million to restore the tower.