By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The city government here has recently turned over the historic Jaro municipal building to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), following the signing of a deed of usufruct at the Iloilo City Hall.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas highlighted the building’s significance, calling it “one of the jewels of Iloilo City” and expressed optimism the facility it will be utilized effectively under the NCCA’s stewardship.
“The Jaro Municipio is one of the jewels of Iloilo City. Iloilo has so many jewels; this is one of the best we could offer. We hope the Jaro Municipio will really be put to good use,” he said in his message.
The usufruct deed was signed by Treñas, NCCA Chairperson Victorino Mapa Manalo, NCCA Executive Director Erick Zerrudo, and Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
The hand over makes Iloilo City the first in the country to have its own NCCA regional and cultural hub. The heritage site will now serve as a center for NCCA’s services, including cultural archiving and heritage conservation efforts.
NCCA chair Manalo said there is much to learn from Iloilo City, especially its efforts in cultural mapping, urban landscape, and heritage conservation, as well its underground cabling efforts.
To further strengthen cultural initiatives, the NCCA also signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI). Zerrudo underscored IFFI’s proven capability in cultural programming and announced the organization would receive a grant to fund arts and heritage conservation projects.
“We’ve seen the performance of this organization and I think they will be able not just to deliver but also translate the services of NCCA in Iloilo and for the whole region,” Zerrudo said.
IFFI president Allan Ryan Tan, who also signed the accord, said the partnership is vital for the sustainability and innovation of local festivals as the city aims to become the festival capital of the country.
The 90-year-old art-deco Old Jaro Municipal Hall, designed by architect Juan Arellano, is part of the Jaro Plaza Complex, which, under Republic Act No. 10555 — authored by Treñas during his term as City District Representative — was declared a “Cultural Heritage Tourism Zone,” along with other areas here.
Notably, the NCCA has allotted a P6.5 million budget for the repair and maintenance of the structure. (PNA)