Road-widening project in Sariaya stopped

THE ST. FRANCIS of Assisi Parish Church in Sariaya, Quezon. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LUCENA CITY—The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) on Wednesday, March 18, ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop its road project in Sariaya, Quezon, that could affect several heritage structures in the town.

Felipe de Leon, chair of the NCCA board of commissioners, told DPWH officials to “cease and desist” from implementing the infrastructure project along Maharlika Highway in Sariaya that would damage portions of these heritage structures—Natalio Enriquez heritage house, Sariaya municipal hall and town plaza and St. Francis Assisi parish church complex.

Criminal offense

“Failure to comply with this mandate is a criminal offense under Republic Act No. 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009),” De Leon said.

Section 25, Article 7 of RA 10066 states: “When the physical integrity of the national cultural treasures or important cultural properties are found to be in danger of destruction or significant alteration from its original state, the appropriate cultural agency shall immediately issue a cease and desist order ex parte suspending all activities that will affect the cultural property.”

A copy of the NCCA order was forwarded to the Inquirer by Danny de Luna, president of Sariaya Heritage Society, one of the groups that have been opposing the DPWH road-widening project.

He said the NCCA order is “a feather in the cap for every one of us in heritage advocacy and preservation.”

The order is addressed to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson; Romeo Momo, public works undersecretary for regional operation; Samson Hebra, regional DPWH director; and Nestor Cleofas, district engineer of the DPWH office in Quezon.