Bacoor City and NHCP officials discuss the restoration and preservation of historical landmarks in Bacoor on Feb. 24 (Photo from the City Government of Bacoor/MANILA BULLETIN)
The local government unit (LGU) of Bacoor has requested assistance from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to preserve and restore its historical landmarks, including Zapote Bridge, one of the city’s most significant heritage sites.
City government officials headed by Mayor Strike B. Revilla discussed the initiative with NHCP Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, and other officials at the NHCP headquarters in Manila on Monday, Feb. 24.
During the meeting, the LGU asked for help from the NHCP in securing permission to relocate the Zapote Bridge for preservation purposes. The city government said the bridge’s present location hinders the flow of the Zapote River and makes the infrastructure prone to debris accumulation.
Commemoration of the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Zapote Bridge and the 128th death anniversary of Gen. Edilberto Evangelista, a key figure in the battle, on Feb. 17 (Photo from the City Government of Bacoor/MANILA BULLETIN)
The Zapote Bridge, recognized as a National Historical Landmark, is significant in Philippine history as the site of two major battles—one against Spanish forces in 1897 and another against the Americans in 1899.
Aside from the Zapote Bridge, the meeting also discussed the retrofitting, restoration, and site development of the St. Michael The Archangel Parish - Bacoor, one of the oldest churches in Cavite, established in 1752.
St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Bacoor, one of Cavite's oldest churches (Photo from St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Bacoor Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN)
Additionally, the Bacoor LGU sought assistance in installing historical markers for key figures in Bacoor’s history, including Gen. Edilberto Evangelista, Gen. Mariano Noriel, and Padre Domingo Sevilla Pilapil.
"Tiwala tayo na ang pakikipagtulungan na ito sa NHCP ay makakatulong sa atin na mapangalagaan ang ating nakaraan at magbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga susunod na henerasyon (We trust that this collaboration with the NHCP will help us preserve our past and serve as an inspiration for future generations)," Revilla wrote in a Facebook post about the meeting.