Dapitan in Mindanao named historical zone
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has declared the old town of Dapitan in Mindanao as its first Heritage Zone. In its Resolution No. 3, the NHCP Board on May 24 declared Dapitan, inhabited by the Subanen tribe, as a heritage zone and historic center. The declaration was made a month before the NHCP launches its celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary. "Because of its ancient beginning and Rizal's four-year exile in Dapitan, the district has become historically and culturally significant," the NHCP said in its resolution. The declaration was announced during the closing ceremony of National Heritage Month in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte on May 27. Those present during the ceremony were NCCA chairman Prof. Felipe de Leon, NCCA executive director Malou Jacob, NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy, National Museum of the Philippines director Jeremy Barns; Dapitan mayor Dominador Jalosjos, vice mayor Patru Chan, and Zamboanga del Norte governor Rolando Yebes. The NCHP noted that according to Horacio de la Costa, S.J., the Dapitan mission was founded by Fr. Pedro Gutierrez, S.J. in 1629. Rizal also lived in exile in Casa Real, the official residence and administration building of the politico-military governor of the District, from July 1892 to March 1893; and transferred to Talisay, now the Rizal Shrine Dapitan. Included in the Cultural Heritage Zone are: