A Letter to the chairperson of NHCP

To: The Chairperson National Historical Commission of the Philippines T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila

Subject: Urgent Appeal to Preserve the Spanish-Era Provincial Jail and Post Office in Naga City

These photos show the following, among others: 1. What appear to be demolished portions of the once existing old Spanish-era stone wall at the rear of the Naga Ruins lot, with unsightly demolished material & other ground dumpings there. (see Photos 1, 2 & 3)

2. The continued use of at least 1 Ruins building as barracks for Nagaland-hired construction workers. (see Photo 1, zoom into the building side entrance door & windows)

3. Last photo, a front view one, that shows to the right of 1 Ruins building the aforesaid demolished material & other ground dumpings and the newer hollow-blocks wall at the rear of the Naga Ruins lot. Is that a Nagaland perimeter fence (along the lot's rear boundary) to replace the old Spanish wall? (see Photo 4)

No longer "beyond the commerce of man." Preview of a coming Nagaland commercial building along the whole frontage of the two Naga Ruins?

Dear Chairperson,

I write to respectfully urge the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to uphold and reinforce the protection of two historically significant structures located in Barangay San Francisco, Naga City: the Spanish-era provincial jail and the Administración de Correos (post office). These buildings, constructed during the Spanish colonial period, are among the few remaining civic structures from the 19th century in Southern Luzon and serve as tangible links to our city’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

These structures are not merely architectural relics—they are civic monuments that reflect Naga’s evolution from a colonial capital to a chartered city under Republic Act No. 305, enacted on June 18, 1948. They have witnessed the transformation of local governance, the emergence of Filipino autonomy, and the enduring spirit of public service. Their preservation is not only a matter of historical interest but a constitutional imperative.

Article XIV, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to “conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources.” This duty is echoed in Republic Act No. 10066, the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which presumes structures over fifty years old to be of cultural significance and requires NHCP clearance for any modification or demolition.

The City of Naga has already acted in accordance with this mandate through the passage of City Ordinance No. 2003-003 and City Resolution No. 2014-038, which formally declared these buildings as local heritage sites. These legal instruments remain in force and reflect the city’s commitment to preserving its historical identity.

While the land on which these buildings stand may now be under private ownership, the structures themselves remain subject to public interest regulation. As affirmed in Province of Camarines Sur v. City of Naga (G.R. No. 175064, Sept. 18, 2009), public spaces and heritage assets are held in trust for the people and cannot be appropriated or destroyed without due process and compelling public justification.

I respectfully request that the NHCP:

1. Reaffirm the protected status of these buildings under RA 10066;

2. Deny any petition for delisting or demolition unless all legal and heritage safeguards are met;

3. Encourage collaborative efforts between the City Government of Naga, private stakeholders, and heritage advocates to restore and repurpose these structures for public benefit.

Preserving these buildings is not an act of resistance to progress—it is a declaration that development must honor memory, identity, and the enduring values of our shared past.

Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting our nation’s heritage.

Respectfully yours,

SULPICIO S. ROCO, JR

September 9, 2025