LOOKING at Baclayon’s Spanish-era town market, one immediately notices its historic coral stone walls, enduring floors, and sturdy pillars, leaving us, present-day mortals, simply in awe and admiration of the hands that built them. Historically, as Emmanuel Romanillos notes in “History of Bohol” (1521-1937), under the helm of Don Marcos Realista between 1879 and 1881, “…the market was constructed in accordance with the budget prepared by an engineer.” It was accomplished from 1887 to 1889.
That is unequivocally deep history, made beautiful by generations of Baclayanons who inhabited it, by the micro-entrepreneurs who labor there today, and by the community that sustains it. It is history woven directly into the living culture – the way of life – of every Baclayanon.
Lifted from the article of my esteemed friend, former Baclayon Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Kagawad and now SB Secretary Erico ‘Eric’ Joseph T. Cañete – who was my source when I wrote the article, “Baclayon: A glimpse into the past” –
“Yet, unknown to many, in the Proposed Lease of Contract one reads, ‘III Lease Period. 1. The lease shall be for a period of twenty-five (25) years commencing upon turnover of the leased premises. The leased premises shall be turned over only upon the issuance of the NHCP Clearance.’ This manifests that the LGU respects the law and authority of the NHCP over heritage structures, hence, enhancing the virtue of responsible preservation of Baclayon’s history, heritage, and culture.”
Heritage Impact Assessment vis-à-vis a 25-year private management
I’m glad I got that on record from his article.
For the life of me, twenty-five years is not a brief stewardship. It is a quarter of a century – a full generation! It is akin to privatizing the National Transmission Corporation and watching it become the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for twenty-five long years.
Now, in all those twenty-five years, what will the community lose? That’s why we need to see the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). In fact, an HIA must be conducted before public consultations are finalized and before contracts are signed – not after turnover to a private entity.
Have the local government unit (LGU) of Baclayon and the investor conducted scientific studies on how a 25-year commercial lease will impact our living community – our local vendors, sellers, artisans, micro-entrepreneurs, and residents? If we are serious about genuine preservation, then release the studies and show us the HIA.
Heritage is not a statue. Heritage is alive. In a public market like the Baclayon mercado, the real heritage isn’t just the historic stones – it is the everyday human life that happens inside. It is the Tabo rush, the smell of fresh catch, the haggling over prices, the voices of local vendors, and the familiar faces of neighbors – of suki – trading goods.
Public welfare and the mercado
If the goal is genuine public welfare, why surrender daily control to private hands? The Tabo survives because of low entry barriers and open access for small local entrepreneurs and everyday buyers. A private corporate investor operates on a Return on Investment (ROI). An ROI is what it is. Once profit becomes the guiding principle of market management, stall fees rise, rules tighten, and small-scale community trade gets squeezed out. Let us keep the mercado directly accessible to regular Baclayanons rather than delegating operational authority to a corporate entity.
Ownership without control is just a title
Tell me: Who holds actual power in real life? Who controls our national transmission network today? Is it the government? No – it is the NGCP!
If a private company controls who rents a stall, what products may be sold, how security is enforced, and how physical layout rules are applied every single day for twenty-five years, it effectively owns the daily experience of that heritage site. Glossing over spatial (physical space, layout, or arrangements) control with legal terminology does not alter the lived reality on the ground.
For a whole generation, the LGU would sit on the sidelines while a private firm dictates public life in Baclayon’s most historic public hub. Nominal ownership without operational control is merely a title printed on a piece of paper.
No one in Baclayon wants our Spanish-era market to decay. We all advocate for modernization, cleanliness, and structural integrity. But true preservation does not force a bleak choice between physical neglect and corporate leasing. The LGU can directly lead the restoration and modernization of the town market, retaining both management and ownership in public hands for the public good.
The Baclayon mercado belongs to the townsfolk – the vendors, fisherfolk, farmers, buyers, and every regular Baclayanon. Let us protect both the historic stones and the living, breathing culture within its walls.
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The author owns and manages Belinda Sales Communications Consulting. You can reach us via email at belca.87@gmail.com. Engage with us on X @ShilohRuthie./PN
