ILOILO City – In a landmark move that affirmed its leadership in heritage preservation, Iloilo City has become the first in the country to host a regional and cultural hub of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), thanks to a historic turnover of the old Jaro municipal building.
The turnover, formalized through a deed of usufruct signed recently at city hall, repositions the 90-year-old art-deco building not merely as a preserved landmark but as an active center for cultural services and programming.
Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized the building’s cultural importance, describing it as “one of the jewels of Iloilo City.”
He added: “Iloilo has so many jewels, this is one of the best that we could offer. We hope the Jaro Municipio will really be put to good use.”
The move comes at a time when cities nationwide are grappling with how to sustainably preserve heritage sites. Iloilo City, already a model for underground cabling and heritage conservation, now steps further into the spotlight with the NCCA’s regional presence.
NCCA Chairperson Victorino Mapa Manalo noted the city’s forward-thinking approach, saying there is much to be learned from Iloilo’s integration of cultural mapping, urban planning, and conservation. The new hub will support archiving and related services that reinforce these efforts.
Complementing the initiative, NCCA also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), aiming to inject energy and funding into local cultural events and heritage projects.
“We’ve seen the performance of this organization and I think they will be able not just deliver but translate the services of NCCA in Iloilo and even for the whole region,” said NCCA executive director Erick Zerrudo. IFFI will receive a grant to implement programs under this collaboration.
IFFI president Allan Ryan Tan, in turn, called the partnership essential to advancing Iloilo’s vision of becoming the country’s festival capital, noting that sustainability and innovation are key goals.
Designed by renowned architect Juan Arellano, the Old Jaro Municipal Hall is part of the Jaro Plaza Complex. The complex, along with other nearby heritage sites, was declared a “Cultural Heritage Tourism Zone” under Republic Act No. 10555 — legislation authored by Treñas during his stint as the city’s representative in Congress.
To support the site’s upkeep, the NCCA has earmarked P6.5 million for repair and maintenance — another signal of its commitment to turning heritage into a living, functional part of modern Filipino identity./PN
