HR00171: A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND OTHER APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE STATE OF THE PHILIPPINE HERITAGE
This resolution urges the House of Representatives, through its Committee on Basic Education and Culture and other relevant committees, to conduct an inquiry into the state of Philippine heritage sites following the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake on July 27, 2022. The earthquake, with its epicenter in Abra, caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including over 24,547 houses, 177 health facilities, and 263 schools, with 1,157 classrooms destroyed or damaged. Notably, centuries-old heritage structures in Vigan City, such as the Vigan Cathedral, Bantay Bell Tower, Syquia Mansion, and other houses in Vigan Heritage Village, as well as churches in San Juan, Tayum, and Bangued, sustained significant damage.
The resolution's call for an inquiry directly impacts the Filipino people by highlighting the critical need for safeguarding the nation's historical and cultural heritage, which is a constitutional mandate. The preservation of these sites is crucial for understanding the country's past and maintaining a sense of national identity. By addressing the government's intervention and maximizing efforts in protecting and preserving these sites, the resolution aims to ensure that future generations of Filipinos can continue to appreciate and learn from their rich cultural patrimony, especially in the face of natural disasters.