BONTOC, Mountain Province – A team of inspectors from the National Historical Committee of the Philippines (NHCP) conducted an ocular inspection of the existing old structure of the Provincial Capitol on June 19, 2025.
Comprising the NHCP team were Engr. Raul Y. Naguit, Jr., History Researcher Miguel Antonio A. Jimenez, and Architect Gian Carlo B. Aycardo. They were assisted by Provincial Administrator John K. Likigan, Executive Assistants Winston V. Calde and Rolando Bragado, Assistant Provincial Engineer George Tauli, Architect III Noel A. Fagyan, and other personnel from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The inspection conducted was in line with the lifting of the presumption that the Provincial Capitol is an important cultural property. The lifting process is a requirement for the renovation of the southern half of the Provincial Capitol which used to house the Provincial Treasury Office and the PPDO.
Subsequently, a brief meeting was held at the Bayle Hotel and Restaurant in Sac-angan, Caluttit for the presentation of the initial findings. The inspectors underscored that the Provincial Capitol building underwent heavy modifications throughout the years. They also said that the building holds historical significance as it was the first capitol to be established in Mountain Province. Moreover, the Provincial Capitol, since its construction during the American regime, stands as a symbol of the province’s social and economic development.
The inspectors further stated that the architectural design and engineering aspects of the Capitol also hold significance, particularly its posts and pillars.
Nonetheless, the inspectors said they are amenable to the proposed building design for the renovation of the southern half of the Provincial Capitol, but with minor modifications to its facade. According to them, all their observations and recommendations will be compiled in a report, which they will submit to the NHCP Board, which has the authority to approve or deny the lifting of the said presumption.
Meanwhile, before the inspection, the inspectors first paid a courtesy visit to Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., who welcomed them to the province. By MP-PIO
