LAPU-LAPU MONUMENT. Dr. Rene Escalante, Chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and Vice-Chair of the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC), shows an artist's design of the proposed structure that will encase the present monument of Datu Lapu-Lapu, during a press briefing at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall on Thursday (Nov. 14, 2019). Escalante also pushed for the demolition of the structures blocking the view of the Liberty Shrine also known as the Lapu-Lapu Shrine. (Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City PIO)
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu -- City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan on Friday vowed to help residents and establishments near the Liberty Shrine, also known as Lapu-Lapu Shrine, to be affected by demolition as proposed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Dr. Rene Escalante, chair of NHCP and vice-chair of the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC), on Thursday recommended to the city government here to demolish structures blocking the view of the shrine.
There are around 30 souvenir shops, residential houses, eateries and sari-sari stores surrounding the shrine.
Chan said they are now studying how the city government could help household or establishments which may be affected by the demolition.
The city, he said, is also studying on claims from individuals that they own the properties surrounding the shrine.
“Someone is claiming. We are studying what to do, which for us that property belongs to the city because it is already on the shore. There is this private entity that was able to produce title," Chan said.
Escalante said the NHCP decided to construct a bigger shrine that will reach towards the shore of Barangay Mactan, instead of destroying the present monument of Datu Lapu-Lapu which was agreed upon before.
The present statue will be encased in a closed-door shrine that will be built soon at an estimated project cost of PHP105 million, he said.
The NHCP, he said, is also organizing a contest next month for the design of the Liberty Shrine intended for the quincentennial celebration of the heroism of Lapu-Lapu in April 2021.
Lapu-Lapu is known as the first Filipino hero who killed Ferdinand Magellan in the famous Battle of Mactan some 500 years ago.
Escalante also said that President Rodrigo Duterte was invited to lead the countdown to 500 years celebration at the Liberty Shrine on December 14, 2019.
The NHCP and the Lapu-Lapu city government are now collaborating for the line-up of “all-Filipino-centric” activities for the celebration.
In August this year, Chan issued an executive order organizing the Mactan Quincentennial Committee that will assist the NQC.
“Our cultural show will be Filipino-centered, including the December 14 event, as one of the thrusts of President Duterte to make it Filipino-centric celebration,” Escalante said in Filipino. (PNA)
