Sept 25, 2015: PAMANA ng LAHI BALITA: SAVE SARIAYA Threatened to wake up one day without a past to hark back to, the deeply bothered Sariaya residents, advocates, parishioners, raised a howl when informed about the DPWH major project to widen the road a year ago. Ancestral houses "presumed important cultural properties (PICP)" which define the complexion of Sariaya are feared to be destroyed. It was just in the nick of time that public outrage saved the concrete fence and gate of St. Francis of Assisi Church. The controversy caught the attention of the media, conservationist, a solon who informed DPWH Secretary Singson himself, who in turn gave assurance for re-planning. Needless to say, it was just a furlough. A notice was again issued this year that instead of road widening, a loading bay will be constructed instead, along the church, town plaza and a number of ancestral houses considered as streetscape in heritage lingo. This further jeopardizes the situation considering a potential violation of National Heritage Law. NCCA issued a cease and desist order which required mediations before the case is elevated in a hearing. For the first time, with all the sectors involved in the dispute, the second mediation conducted by the NCCA was held last September 15 in Sariaya. PAMANLAHI, an NGO concerned with heritage preservation, which has been in support of Sariaya struggle, was invited by Ms. Rina Marquez, the descendant of Natalio Enriquez. The owner of Gala-Enriquez mansion, Ms. Glady Cabunag hosted the event. It provided opportunity for the simmering of conflicts and for a surprising number of stakeholders to be heard. Although it failed to end in an agreement, NCCA has scheduled the last mediation on November with Ysmael Baysa acting as host. The hearing would be the last resort in the event that mediations did not prosper. The occasion has provided a close and unparalleled view of how leaders conducted themselves: First, resident cultural leaders staunchly championed the town's historical causes. Heritage Advocate Danny Galera Maffiotte De Luna initiated the cultural mapping of Sariaya, in cooperation with Wikimedia Phils, Inc which unfortunately, has since been left unattended with nary an ordinance to make a go of it. Atty Trixie Angeles of NCCA stressed, if ever approved by the local government, would be the first in our country, even ahead of Cebu. Second, the present lack of coherence remains an intractable problem. As won’t the leaders of local governments, they refused to put a premium on awareness and significance of history, with a downside potential, allowing the construction of covered court inside the town square or plaza in violation of RA 10066. The plaza being an integral part of the Cultural Properties underscored in National Heritage Law. Third and lastly, on a positive note, it is quite telling that the controversy has stirred consciousness among the previously non-committal residents of Sariaya, who are now slowly voluntarily getting into the fold and mold of the issue at hand... Press release: Dakilang Pamana ng Lahi, Inc. by Ms Mye Atienza - Director for External Relations...