The decision of the Supreme Court on the Torre de Manila case shows that our present laws are not enough to preserve our important cultural properties. We hope that Congress reexamines our existing laws on historical and cultural heritage and enact appropriate amendments.  Doing so will prevent a repetition and end uncertainties, and thereby allow modern development to proceed alongside the conservation of our nation’s cultural assets.

 

 

RENE R. ESCALANTE
Chairman
National Historical Commission of the Philippines

 

April 26, 2017