• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The defacement of any historical or cultural monument, marker, or statue in Bacolod City should be penalized, Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said.
Gamboa, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on History and Veterans Affairs, said that monuments, markers, and statues are “symbols of our history and identity”, and must be protected from vandalism, destruction, and disrespect.
Under his proposed Bacolod City Cultural Properties Protection ordinance, recently approved on first reading by the SP, it shall be unlawful for any person to deface any monument, marker, or statue by writing, painting, carving, posting stickers/posters, or any form of graffiti; destroy, damage, or demolish any monument, marker, or heritage structure; or desecrate by urinating, spitting, climbing, or using it for non-commemorative purposes.
Other prohibited acts include the removal, transfer, or relocation of any marker or monument without approval from the SP and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; and selling, pawning, or exporting city-owned monuments, parts, or artifacts.
If a violator is a minor, the child shall undergo community service and values formation seminar with the parents.
For an adult offender, s/he shall be fined P5,000 and/or six months imprisonment and restoration cost for first offense; a fine of P10,000 and/or one year imprisonment and restoration cost for second offense; and a fine of P20,000 and/or a maximum two years’ imprisonment and permanent disqualification from city jobs/contracts, and restoration cost, for third offense.
“Any person who reports a violator that leads to a conviction shall receive a P3,000 cash reward from the city,” the proposed ordinance states. | CGC
