BACOLOD City – The Victorias City Government in Negros Occidental has declared and designated the Victorias Heritage Square as the official repository site of the objects found thereat.
The ordinance on this, City Ordinance No. 2024-137, was recently approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
The ordinance stated that the objects located within the 96-square meter Victorias Heritage Square, considered as tangible cultural properties, shall be preserved and protected in accordance with this ordinance and other applicable laws.
This includes the memory box or time capsule buried underneath the bust of Andres Bonifacio, which is to remain undisturbed until its scheduled opening date on March 21, 2071.
It added that the Victorias Heritage Square located on Osmeña Avenue, Barangay IV displays the relics and mementoes of the items found in the plaza since its establishment in the 1930s.
Among the items that had been gathered and can be found in the heritage square were Andres Bonifacio bust is located are four lamp posts, seven 1939 concrete benches, bench of skill, four bamboo designed garbage receptacle, and looped iron edges. It also included the narra tree, kawa (huge cauldron) and mill bricks from Victorias Milling Company.
The ordinance further stated that no object inside the heritage square shall be removed, altered, or disposed of, without the approval of the city mayor, SP and the appropriate cultural heritage authorities.
Any person or party or entity that violates the provisions of the ordinance will be penalized by a fixed fine of P4,000 for first offense; P4,500 (second offense); and P5,000 (third offense) and imprisonment of not more than 60 days./PN
