CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After historians here questioned the city government’s plan to develop the iconic Ysalina Bridge, the city council is planning to conduct a meeting to hear sides of the different stakeholders in the upcoming project.
THE iconic Ysalina Bridge seen from the third floor of the Cagayan de Oro City Hall. (Franck Dick Rosete) Councilor James Judith II, who made a special report on the matter at the city council session on Monday, July 31, said the meeting aims to provide answers to various questions and would clarify matters as they are planning to invite the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Historians have commented on the Ysalina Bridge development project that will start next year amid the issue faced by the City Central School which destroyed a part of its perimeter fence that has historical value. "The heritage-destruction target this time is Cagayan de Oro’s iconic bridge. Again, our heritage structure with so much history is about to be destroyed and replaced with a modern one," Raul Ilogon, a historian here, said in a Facebook post on July 9. Another local historian, Rai Bollozos Sanches, stressed that the preservation of the Ysalina Bridge is important to the "cultural and historical legacy" of Cagayan de Oro, adding that destroying the bridge would "irrevocably alter the city’s historical DNA." "Instead, we should seek innovative solutions to ensure its preservation and historical character, which are crucial in modern times," Sanches said in his Facebook post on July 24. City Mayor Rolando Uy has approved the replacement of the Ysalina Bridge with a four-lane one as experts have noted that the existing structure really has to go for the safety of the people, Ramir Balquin, department manager of the City Planning and Development Office, earlier said. The plan to convene different stakeholders to tackle the project will serve as a continuation of the previous meetings as Judith said the City Historical Commission did not allegedly participate despite being invited.
COUNCILOR James Judith II answers questions from the media after the session of the 20th Cagayan de Oro City Council on Monday, July 31. (Franck Dick Rosete) The legislator wanted to clarify if the Ysalina Bridge cannot be considered a "heritage" structure despite being 92-years-old since it is not part of the five historical sites in this city that underwent procedures and have been declared by the city council. "To be honest, I am not biased; it’s not a heritage (site). I’m sorry. It may be old, but it does not usually mean that it is a heritage (site) already because it has a process to declare it," Judith said after the session on Monday, questioning the City Historical Commission for not including the Ysalina Bridge. Among the historical and cultural properties declared by the city council here through Resolution No. 14631-2023 are El Pueblo A Sus Heroes Monument, Gaston Park, Golden Friendship Park, Jose Rizal Monument, and Cagayan Waterworks Tank. The commission, Judith said, may process the inclusion of the bridge. But in his view, the remaining months left prior to the start of the project implementation may not be enough, considering the amount of time needed for the procedure for declaration, under Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. To ensure the preservation of various structures and sites here that have historical value, Judith said the chairperson of the commission should be a historian. Nicolas Aca Jr., chairperson of the City Historical Commission, was sought for comment, but said he is unable to provide a statement yet as they will hold a meeting to tackle the matter. Judith’s special report was referred to the committees on tourism and public works. Councilor John Michael Seno, chairperson of the committee on public works, said his committee doesn’t have any information on the re-construction of the Ysalina Bridge. Hence, he requested that Judith provide details since he wanted to know which office would implement the project. Seno emphasized the importance of knowing which office implements the project, especially if the DPWH district offices are involved since the bridge is situated in the middle of the city. He said he does not understand why the bridge need to be destroyed, stressing that traffic congestion may happen and that no heavy trucks are allowed to pass the bridge.