By Tara Yap The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has ordered a stop to the renovation of an old convent adjacent to the Molo Church in Iloilo City. ILLEGAL RENOVATION—The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) considers the renovation of the old Convento de Molo, which is part of the St. Anne Parish Church in Iloilo City, as illegal. (Tara Yap/MANILA BULLETIN) NHCP Acting Executive Director Ludovico Badoy issued the Cease and Desist Order to Monsignor Maurillo Silva, parish administrator of the St. Anne Parish Church, earlier this month. “The old Convento de Molo is considered an Important Cultural Property that is more than 50 years old; thus the building must be preserved and protected,” Badoy stated. “All activities affecting the old Convento de Molo are hereby suspended,” Badoy emphasized. In a letter obtained by Manila Bulletin, Badoy noted that the renovation of the old convent was in violation of Republic Act 10066 or the Philippine Cultural Heritage Act. Specifically, Section 3 of Article III that states that an Important Cultural Property must be protected “against exportation, modification or demolition.” “Any developments must be first coordinated with the NHCP. Kindly submit a copy of the as-built and development plan of the structure,” Badoy stressed. This was not the first time that modification on heritage structures of a church in Iloilo was questioned. In 2013, heritage advocates sought the help of NHCP to stop the parish priest in Cabatuan town, Iloilo province, in the construction of an extension chapel to a more than century-old funeral chapel.