• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance mandating the cultural mapping of historical and heritage sites in the City of Bacolod, was recently passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on first reading.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa, chairman of the SP Committee on History and Veterans Affairs, said the City of Bacolod is rich in culture due to its rituals, practices and preserved areas, that are important points to consider in the coming cultural mapping, as certified by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The City Council sees the need to protect our local history not only for tourism purposes but also to pay homage to our ancestors and take pride in their sacrifice. Thus, the main objective of the ordinance is to identify our historical sites for the benefit of our future generations, it said.
The ordinance to be known as the ‘’Historical Mapping Ordinance of Bacolod City,’’ provides for the creation of a Technical Working Group to be headed by the Office of the City Mayor (CMO).
The historical mapping will be considered as a project, consisting of three phases: the first phase will cover the identification of local cultural mapping with partner conduit; second phase – production of a national cultural index and the third phase – national validation workshop.
The Cultural Affairs and Tourism Department of Bacolod City will submit quarterly and annual reports to the Office of the City Mayor and to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the condition and development of the Cultural Mapping Project.
A sum of P500,000 will be appropriated under the General Fund, while the City Tourism Office (CTO) will prepare and submit annual appropriations as may be necessary.*
