SUMMARY

What the Resolution Achieves

• Requests the NHCP Board to allow local consultations before lifting the Cease-and-Desist Order (CDO) on the Spanish-era ruins owned by Nagaland Corporation.
• Reinforces the city’s commitment to people participation and cultural preservation, especially in light of missed opportunities for dialogue due to weather disruptions and non-attendance by the developer.

Context Behind the Ruins

• The two Spanish-era structures—believed to date back to the 1800s—have been declared Important Cultural Properties (ICP) by the city government.
• The NHCP previously issued a CDO to halt demolition activities, pending proper evaluation and stakeholder engagement.
• Nagaland Corporation submitted a Conservation Management Plan and Architectural Plan, but failed to present them during the July 28 committee meeting.

Weather Complications

• Recent habagat weather events in the Bicol Region caused widespread flooding and disruption, affecting over 393,000 individuals and delaying government action.

Why This Matters

• The resolution underscores Naga City’s policy of inclusive governance, ensuring that local voices—including cultural groups, historians, and residents—are heard before irreversible decisions are made.
• It also reflects a broader national trend of balancing development with heritage conservation, especially in historically rich urban centers like Naga.