By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff
Reporter
Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—A little known historical marker located at
Brgy. Puyupuyan in this town has become viral in social media after a photo was
posted online of its new look.
Some old Pasuquin residents
claimed that after the rehabilitation works, they could hardly recognize the
old watchtower built during Spanish colonial period due to its “modernized look”.
“Restoration is very
different from renovation. The historic value of the place has been lost. I
hope this will not happen with the on-going restoration of our town’s bell
tower,” said Edison Agcaoili, a concerned citizen from neighboring Bacarra
town.
Earlier, the local government
unit of Pasuquin has called for the rehabilitation of the Puyupuyan watchtower,
formerly used as outpost for sentinels tasked to warn residents of pirate
attacks.
In 2015, the structure was
declared a “National Cultural Treasure” by the National Museum. The same
government agency also funded its restoration this year.
However, even the National
Museum admitted the restoration works could have been made better.
“We are as dismayed as many
here, and I can share that the contractor proceeded rapidly in some key aspects
without the National Museum’s approval, particularly the overly-heavy and
clumsy application of lime plaster and the installation of the metal grill
gate—these would not have been approved by us,” said Jeremy Barns, a
spokesperson of the National Museum, who apologized for what happened.
Mr. Barns assured the public the
National Museum will do something to rectify the error as he noted, “Don’t be
particularly alarmed, because all work that has been undertaken, is thankfully
reversible.”
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