Quiapo has become a historic landmark for its old infrastructures and rich culture, prompting a Manila lawmaker to file a bill declaring the area a “national heritage zone”.

A self-confessed “Batang Quiapo”, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua formally asked the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Aug. 17, for the establishment of the capital’s third heritage zone.

Sta. Ana and Intramuros are the two heritage zones in Manila.

House Bill 3750, in its explanatory note, cited two historical churches in Quiapo namely the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, and the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian.

“For many reasons, Quiapo has become a household name, a landmark, and a symbol for many Filipinos. The name ‘Quiapo’ was derived from the word kiyapo. It is a species of floating water lily with thick, light-green leaves, similar to a tiny, open cabbage,” it said.

At the early 1600s, the lawmaker added “the galleon trade increased the population of Chinese migrants who exchanged their silk and other products near Quiapo.”

“Towards the next century, Quiapo transformed into a wealthy suburb. It boasted stately homes, the most beautiful street in Manila (R.Hidalgo), the loveliest park in Manila (Plaza del Carmen), and the most spacious public market in Manila (Mercado de la Quinta) (Andrade, nd.),” Chua, vice chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, also said.

Under the proposed measure, the boundaries outward to the immediate environs of Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda, San Sebastian Church, and Plaza del Carmen will be declared as national heritage zone.

Such declaration would lead to the restoration of Quiapo’s infrastructures, preservation of its culture, and the rehabilitation of the community.

The bill tasks the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the City Government of Manila, to prepare the development plan within one year after the bill is approved.

Such plan involves “the restoration, rehabilitation conservation and/or maintenance of such appropriate facilities which shall enhance the area...ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage and the historical significance of the identified area.”

“The Quiapo Heritage Zone shall be accorded priority development by the DOT and other concerned departments and units and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of national heritage zones,” Chua further wrote in his bill.

For the necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and other infrastructure, the bill gives the mandate to the DOT, together with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), DPWH, in coordination with the Manila city government.

Funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) and/or charged against the internally generated funds of the DOT.