The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is open to helping refurbish heritage structures here declared as Cultural Heritage Tourism Zones under Republic Act No. 10555.

Among these tourism zones are the Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, the Iloilo City Central Business District, Fort San Pedro, Jaro Plaza Complex, Molo Plaza Complex, and Plaza Libertad Complex.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the law has a provision that states the NHCP can paint private buildings as long as they are in the tourism zone.

“We all know that here, under the law, which I sponsored during my term in Congress, Plaza Libertad was included. So, all the heritage buildings, we can ask for support from the commission, plus the Calle Real,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.

The City Architect’s Office is preparing the letter request for Iloilo City to avail of the support, he added.

Treñas said he also requested the NHCP to rehabilitate the San Jose Placer Parish Church in Plaza Libertad, one of the oldest churches in Iloilo.

He said the early structure of the church was built by the Jesuits in 1606 and was taken over by the Augustinians.

“They (NHCP) are open to it,” Treñas, who met with NHCP executives in this city last week, said. (PNA)