ILOILO – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the ongoing redevelopment of the public plaza drainage in Dingle, Iloilo, citing concerns over the potential demolition of the nearby 19th-century entrance staircase of St. John the Baptist Church on Sanico Street, Barangay Poblacion.
In a letter dated March 3, 2025, NHCP chair Regalado Trota José Jr. informed Mayor Rufino Palabrica III that the staircase is considered a presumed Important Cultural Property (ICP) under Article III, Section 5 of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066), as amended by RA 11961.
“It has come to our attention that the ongoing redevelopment of the public plaza drainage will consequently result in the demolition of the entrance staircase of St. John the Baptist Church — a presumed Important Cultural Property,” José stated in the letter.
He emphasized that as a presumed ICP, the staircase is protected from any modification or demolition, and any proposed interventions must be consulted with the NHCP before implementation.
José also cited directives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), specifically NBCDO Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2018, and Department Order No. 12, Series of 2019, which require building officials and municipal engineers to coordinate with cultural agencies before undertaking any development or demolition projects to safeguard historical and cultural sites.
“By virtue of Article VII, Section 25 of RA 10066, we, therefore, issue a Cease-and-Desist Order suspending all activities affecting the entrance staircase of St. John the Baptist Church,” José declared.
The NHCP also urged immediate coordination with the owner of the reported construction works and the submission of a signed development plan in compliance with the relevant laws and guidelines. Failure to comply, José warned, may prompt legal action.
The redevelopment project was initiated by the Dingle municipal government, with Municipal Engineer William Pabila earlier requesting the Archdiocese of Jaro to demolish the church’s staircase as part of the public plaza drainage redevelopment.
Copies of the NHCP letter were also sent to Jaro Archbishop Emeritus Romeo Lazo and Rev. Fr. Ildefonso Cachuela Jr., secretary of the Vicariate of St. Matthias.
This is not the first time the NHCP has intervened in redevelopment projects in Dingle. On October 27, 2021, the commission issued a CDO halting the redevelopment of the Dingle Public Plaza, which sits in front of the St. John the Baptist Church Complex. The NHCP recognizes Spanish and American colonial-era plazas as National Historical Sites and required the local government to revise its plans for approval.
On August 16, 2022, after the necessary revisions, the NHCP lifted the CDO but reminded the local government to preserve heritage sites and structures as a legacy for future generations./PN
