ILOILO – The National Museum of the Philippines is considering declaring the Old Provincial Capitol of Iloilo, or the Casa Real, along with the Arroyo Fountain on General Luna Street, as Important Cultural Properties (ICPs).
Jeremy Barns, director-general of the National Museum of the Philippines, sent a letter to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. informing him that the two structures were being considered for declaration either as National Cultural Treasures (NCTs) or ICPss.
A panel of experts convened last Dec. 17, 2020 to discuss the matter “in line with the pertinent provisions of Presidential Decree No. 374 and Republic Act No. 10066,” Barns stated in the letter.
ICPs are those singled out from among cultural properties possessing “exceptional cultural, artistic, and/or historical significance” to the Philippines.
The provincial government also initiated major heritage conservation projects, including the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Casa Real de Iloilo and the Prison of Iloilo.
The original Casa Real de Iloilo structure was built in 1873, renovated and redesigned by the Americans following the inauguration of the civil government of Iloilo in 1901.
It became the seat of the provincial government and was used as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
Meanwhile, the Prison of Iloilo, built in 1911, now houses the National Museum Western Visayas and Satellite Office, which opened in April 2018./PN
