By Joseph Almer Pedrajas
A Caloocan City councilor has proposed an ordinance which seeks to preserve and promote the city’s cultural heritage.
Caloocan City Councilor PJ Malonzo (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Through ordinance 10-214 or the ‘Caloocan City Local Museum and Caloocan City Museum Advisory Council Creation Ordinance,’ Councilor PJ Malonzo aims to build a museum in the city “in order to maintain a link to the past, inspire the present, and serve a beacon of light to guide the future.”
The ordinance also aims to increase the level of consciousness of Filipinos, especially the residents and tourists, about Caloocan’s culture and identity.
In an interview, Malonzo said that as Caloocan is one of the oldest cities, “it needs to have a proper venue” where it can “preserve and strengthen” its history.
“I thought that this is going to be beneficial for the residents,” he said.
Malonzo further believes that building a city museum could also help the local government to generate revenue through boosting its tourism as people become attracted to visit.
Malonzo filed the bill in May and is planning to re-file it once the council resumes this July.
He said he hopes that Caloocan Mayor Oca Mapitan would consider its passing.
“It depends on the decision of the local chief executive,” he said.
“As of time being,” Malonzo added, “there is still no museum in the city.”
Caloocan City was the birthplace of some members, including Gregory De Jesus, of the revolutionary group Katipunan. The city also witnessed several historical events, including the meetings of the revolutionaries.