Lyn Gamboa and Rep. Francisco Benitez (seated) with Roger Noshua Venzal, Edsie Valladarez, Tanya Lopez, Architect Rai Busmante and Ysabelle Paula Aquino Peñas (l-r, standing) at a meeting on the conservation of Balay Negrense*
Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) recently met with key stakeholders at the forefront of a Conservative Rehabilitation Program for Balay Negrense, the province’s first museum in Silay City.
Among those who attended the meeting were Negros Cultural Foundation Inc. president Lyn Gamboa, Negros Museum executive director Tanya Lopez, and Architect Rai Busmante.
The Negros Occidental provincial government will be tapped for support and financial assistance for the repair and rehabilitation of Balay Negrense, a press release from the office of Benitez on Friday, July 22, said.
A comprehensive study of the rehabilitation plan of the museum that will include identification of experts to manage the conservation and preservation of one of Negros important heritage houses is being considered, it said.
Located in the historic Cinco de Noviembre Street in Silay City, Balay Negrense is also known as the Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House. Built in 1897, it was converted into a museum in 1990 and was declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a heritage house in 1994.
Balay Negrense showcases the lifestyle of sugar barons during the 19th century, the time when Silay City was renowned as the “Paris of Negros”. Today, Silay City has the most number of declared heritage houses by the NHCP in the country.
Benitez, a strong advocate and supporter of promoting, conserving and developing culture and heritage refiled House Bill 2129 in the 19th Congress on July 19 to institutionalize local government-led cultural mapping to boost local tourism and support heritage conservation and cultural literacy, as well as foster local pride and a sense of place and identity.
The bill was approved on third and final reading in the 18th Congress by the House of Representatives but due to lack of time, has not been enacted into law.
Benitez is hoping that the bill will finally become a law in the 19th Congress.
“Heritage is what we inherit from those who came before us, it is the legacy of our community that binds us, roots us, and give us a sense of who we are, where we come from and what makes us unique. Preservation requires us to remember and celebrate our heritage, ensure that we treasure it and ensure that the future generations enjoy the wealth of our community’s heritage and pass on who we are.” Benitez said.*