The San Bartolome Parish in Malabon City was declared as an “Important Cultural Treasure” by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) on Thursday, Aug. 11.
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, lawyer Ma. Rosenne Flores-Avila of the NMP, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Kalookan, and Rev. Fr. Philippe Angelo Garcia of the San Bartolome Parish, unveiled the marker of the title in the parish, along with leaders and representatives of the church and the private sector.
The city government said that through the award, the national government will focus more on the protection, maintenance, and development of the 408-year-old church in Barangay San Agustin, as well as on spreading and promoting its cultural importance in the city, in accordance with Republic Act 10066, “the Cultural Heritage Act.”
An Important Cultural Treasure/Property is a cultural property that possesses “exceptional cultural, artistic, and/or historical significance” to the country, according to the officialgazette.gov.ph.
“Saksi ang simbahan sa bawat yugto ng paglaban at pagtatagumpay ng mga taong nakapalibot rito, kaya’t nararapat lamang na pag-ukulan ito ng pagpapahalaga at pansin (The church is a witness to every stage of the fight and success of the people surrounding it, so it deserves to be given importance and recognition),” Sandoval said.
“Kaisa ang inyong pamahalaang lungsod sa makabuluhang mga hakbang para sa ikauunlad ng ating simbahan, mananampalataya, at ng mayamang kultura ng mga taga-Malabon (Your city government is taking the significant steps for the development of our church, the faithful, and the rich culture of the people of Malabon)," she added.