07/08/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ณ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐ง
DAPITAN CITY โ City Mayor Evelyn โBelenโ T. Uy has formally signed and submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for review and approval the proposed comprehensive ordinance strengthening the protection, preservation, and proper management of the Dapitan City Plaza and its historic features, marking another concrete step in the City Governmentโs commitment to safeguard Dapitanโs heritage.
The proposed measure follows concerns raised by Dapitanons regarding activities within the City Plaza, particularly the reported disregard of existing restrictions protecting the historic Relief Map of Mindanao and other significant areas within the heritage complex. In response, the City Government immediately initiated a review of existing local ordinances governing the plaza, some of which date as far back as 1998, and recognized the need for a more comprehensive framework capable of responding to present-day tourism, conservation, public-use, and enforcement challenges.
True to its commitment to act on these concerns, the City Government moved with the preparation of a consolidated measure that seeks to strengthen rules on the use of the plaza, improve the protection of historically significant structures, clarify responsibilities among concerned offices, and promote greater public awareness and participation in heritage conservation.
The proposed ordinance also advances a whole-of-community approach to heritage protection, recognizing that preserving Dapitanโs historic spaces cannot be the responsibility of government alone. It seeks to strengthen coordination among City Government offices, schools, tourism stakeholders, residents, visitors, and other institutions, including the education sector, in cultivating greater respect for the Cityโs cultural and historical assets.
The submission of the ordinance delivers on the City Governmentโs earlier commitment that a comprehensive measure would be prepared and transmitted to the Sanggunian following the review of existing policies and the concerns raised by the public.
For Mayor Belen Uyโs administration, the initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that development under the Bag-ong Dapitan agenda remains firmly anchored on the protection of the Cityโs history and identity.
As Dapitan continues to position itself as a leading heritage and tourism destination, the City Government maintains that progress must go hand in hand with preservation, ensuring that landmarks such as the City Plaza and the Relief Map of Mindanao are not only protected today, but passed on with dignity and meaning to future generations.
Promises made. Promises delivered. Heritage protected for the generations to come.