Heirs to use city CPG property,

Want heritage house relocated

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept 30 (PIA) –On the same week that the National Museum handled heritage markers on two houses, a stone building school and a plaza, Boholanos were awakened to an irony: it could be losing a marker that may not be as important to a generation that may have forgotten.

The historic Carlos P. Garcia House situated at the back of the old Capitol, upon the decision the heirs of Bohol’s most illustrious son, would have to go, as the family intends to use the property more commonly known to Boholanos now as the CPG Museum located at Dagohoy, corner Rocha Street, Tagbilaran City.

Through a Deed of Usufruct, the Garcia Family has entered into an agreement with Talibon Real Estate and Development Corporation (TREDEC), which is the owner of the CPG Museum converted from the house, and the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Foundation Incorporation (PCPGFI), which is an entity assigned to manage and maintain the CPG Museum, but it is now terminating the agreement.

With that, all the items herein displayed in the museum, as to the decision of the Garcia Family represented by Carla Garcia-Campos and grand daughter of the former president, would all be transferred to the National Museum in Bohol, to which, the National Museum has already agreed in principle.

In fact, via a deed of donation, Director Jeremy Barns, Director-General of National Museum of the Philippines, has already accepted some memorabilia in their home in Quezon City like the life size painting of the President and his wife Leonila D. Garcia by Fernando Amorsolo, furniture, fixtures, writings and photographs.

In a visit to the museum, Director Barns and his also identified memorabilia items that wouold be pulled out and transferred to the nearby National Museum including 15 pieces of furniture, 4 pieces of artwork, 17 pieces of clothing, 8 pieces of plaques and 26 other pieces.

As to the house, the Garcia heirs are intending to have it relocated so that they can use the property, and in fact, during the term of Governor Arthur Yap, the Garcia Family requested the Provincial Government to relocate the house, so the family can procced with their development plans.

And if the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has no intention to transfer or relocate the CPG Museum, the Garcia Family has reportedly initiated discussions with the management of Las Casa Filipinas de Acuzar to donate the house, hence, it may potentially be relocated to their cultural heritage and tourist site in the Province of Bataan.

The problem however, is that in 2009, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the house as a heritage house, being the residence of former Philippine president, in Tagbilaran City.

Known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” by Republic Act 10066, it provides for the protection and conservation of national cultural heritage, including priority funding from the government.

The declaration prohibits destruction, demolition, mutilation of any national cultural treasures, important cultural property and archaeological and anthropological sites; and anyone who modifies, alters, or destroys the original features of or undertakes construction or real estate development in any national shrine, monument, landmark and other historic edifices and structures, declared, classified, and marked by the National Historical Institute, without the prior written permission from the Commission.

With this, the option for the owners to get the National Heritage Declaration nulled could start while the national government would also initiate measures for its protection and preservation while making sure the owners also are properly compensated. (rahc/PIA7/Bohol)

CPG HERITAGE HOUSE. The house which used to be owned by the Forolan family and rented to then President Carlos P. Garcia is now the subject of an interesting case when owners of houses declared as heritage sites, want to use the property, but not by adaptive reuse as provided by the Heritage Act. This house was declared as Heritage House by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on September 4, 2009. (PIABohol)