Protection of Malabon landmarks pushed

Up to P5,000 in fines and imprisonment of six months await those who destroy, relocate or disrespect Malabon City’s historic and cultural landmarks, under a proposed ordinance authored by Councilors Bernard dela Cruz and Ricky Bernardo.

Noel Villarosa, Bernardo’s chief of staff, said the measure was prompted by the need to protect the city’s landmarks.

These included Concepcion Church in Barangay Concepcion, home to the sacred image of the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception crowned by former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and the 404-year-old San Bartolome Church in Barangay Poblacion, through which the Katipuneros smuggled arms in 1896 to prepare for the Philippine revolution.

The proposed ordinance also seeks to preserve 18 heritage houses like that of Katipunero Apolinario Marcelo, also known as El Casa Katipunero, in Barangay Baritan and the house of former Governor General Wenceslao Pascual in Barangay Hulong Duhat which was built in 1930.

The city’s tourism and cultural affairs office will lead the conservation of these landmarks, according to the measure. —Krixia Subingsubing