By Emme Rose Santiagudo
The Iloilo City government is planning to restore the Lacson Ancestral House beside San Jose de Placer parish church at Plaza Libertad in City Proper district.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said he is interested to negotiate with the owners for a long-term lease of the property.
“Ginaistorya ko pa ang tag-iya kay ti madamo sila nga tag-iya. I am still trying to contact the owners but I hope it will happen. I am looking at a long-term lease maybe 30 years,” he said.
Treñas said the heritage house can help decongest the City Hall building by housing some of the departments of the city government.
“Kon matigayon, ang aton plano madugang kita offices kay kadako-dako gale sina, mapahalog-halog ta ang opisina,” he said on Monday.
Aside from this, the second floor of the building can serve as a function room for events, meetings, and gathering, he added.
Last week, the mayor conducted a site visit to check the heritage house and identify areas that need rehabilitation.
“Katahum sang building. Kalay-uhon ta lang guro ang mga CR kag ang mga buslot sa atop,” he said.
Treñas said the restoration of the ancestral house is part of the thrust of the city government to preserve historic structures in the metro.
“We always desire to preserve our heritage sites, upholding Iloilo’s brand, ‘where the past is always present’,” he said.
