Quiapo has become a historic landmark for its old infrastructures and rich culture, prompting Rep. Joel Chua (3rd District) to to file HB 3750 declaring the area a “national heritage zone”.
Quiapo, Manila has become a historic landmark for its old infrastructures and rich culture, prompting a Manila lawmaker, Rep. Joel Chua (3rd district) to file a bill declaring the area a “national heritage zone.”
House Bill 3750 delineates the boundaries of the heritage zone as the Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda, San Sebastian Church, and Plaza del Carmen to be part of the restoration of infrastructures, preservation of cultural heritage, rehabilitation of the community and the historical significance of the identified area
The explanatory note cited two historical churches in Quiapo namely the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, and the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian.
The heritage zone also includes the west side of Evangelista Street, places near the buildings of the heritage zone and properties around Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda. From the north the rear property lines of buildings facing Escaldo Street and F. R. Hidalgo Street up to the northwest rear property lines of buildings facing San Sebastian Street and northeast along Recto Avenue" instructions of HB 3750.
In the eastern part, the heritage zone includes side property lines of the San Sebastian College complex and Plaza del Carmen, and on the south, following the south bank of the Estero de Quiapo and wrapping around the rear property lines of buildings facing Hidalgo Street and A. Bautista Street, stated in House Bill 3750.
Chua said that the heritage zone will not just create jobs but help uplift the reputation of the city in the Philippines and in the world
“The Quiapo Heritage Zone shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned departments and units and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of national heritage zones,” Chua said.
“For many reasons, Quiapo has become a household name, a landmark, and a symbol for many Filipinos. The name “Quiapo” was derived from the word kiyapo, a specie of floating water lily with thick, light-green leaves, similar to a tiny, open cabbage. At around the early 1600s, the galleon trade increased the population of Chinese migrants who exchanged their silk and other products near Quiapo,” Chua, the vice chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said.
The DoT together with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and in coordination with the City Government of Manila are mandated to do the necessary construction and improvement of roads and other infrastructures.
The development also involves the restoration, rehabilitation conservation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities which shall enhance the area. Ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage and the historical significance of the identified area.
Funding for the Quiapo Heritage Zone will come from generated funds of the DOT’s annual national budget and internally-generated funds.
Tags: #DOT, #HB3750, #NationalHeritageZone, #Quiapo