Prepping the Capitol for Freedom Day rites

ILOILO CITY—A huge fire that struck the old Iloilo provincial capitol on Nov. 4, 1998, reduced its back structures to ashes but left standing the two-story main building to continue serving its purpose as seat of the provincial government from 1901 up to 2003 when a new, modern six-story edifice replaced it.

On June 12, when the nation commemorates its 117th Independence Day, the capitol’s rich past and present majesty will again be highlighted as host of the traditional vin d’honneur after the flag-raising ceremony in Sta. Barbara town, 17 kilometers away.

President Aquino will lead the cocktail ceremony to be attended by more than 100 members of the diplomatic corps, top officials and civic leaders.

“It’s a historic building, the most prominent landmark in the province and city reflective of its glorious past. We have restored the structure befitting of the dignity that goes with the occasion,” Gov. Arthur Defensor said.

Restoration

The Capitol has undergone a three-year restoration at a cost of P53,788,598.49. Funded by the provincial government and supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the work was implemented in three stages—April 12, 2012 to July 31, 2012, Dec. 10, 2013 to Sept. 27, 2014, and March 4 to May 29 when a blessing ceremony was held.

Architect Guillermo Hisancha said the project involved the removal of mezzanine offices, interior furnishings and concrete canopies; replacement of wooden roof frames with steel chassis; and retrofitting of the portico and other support structures.

The old and new capitols were also connected on the second floor by a six-meter concrete bridge.

Floor tiles in checkered white and black were installed to reflect the architectural design of the American colonial period.

Outside, a lighting system was put up to illuminate the building façade, walkways and driveways, and landscape works on the front and sides of the building.

Defensor said the holding of the Freedom Day activities in Iloilo would draw international attention to the city and province.

“The holding of vin d’honneur at the old provincial capitol will highlight the fact that the old provincial capitol is a mute witness to the proud and glorious past of the province and city of Iloilo,” he said.

The restored capitol is being considered as a tourist and cultural destination to complement the renovated museum. The old structure is on Bonifacio Drive and the historic Calle Real (now Iznart and J. M. Basa streets).

Stone house

Fronting the building is the Arroyo Fountain, which replaced the flagstaff in 1927. The fountain is named in honor of Sen. Jose Maria Arroyo, who authored the law creating the Iloilo Metropolitan Water Works.

The construction of the building was initiated under then Gov. Jose Maria Carles and completed in 1873 during the term of Gov. Enrique Fajardo under the direction of chief of public works Don Vicente Ruiz, according to a briefer prepared by the Public Information and Community Affairs Office of the provincial government.

It was originally built on a “bahay-na-bato” (stone house) architectural design with the walls of the ground floor made of coral stone and the second floor made of wood.

The building had also been called Casa Gobierno de Iloilo, Palacio del Gobernador, Casa Real, Provincial Building of Iloilo, President Garcia Hall and Provincial Capitol of Iloilo.