QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The City Government of San Juan clarified the issues hounding the transfer of monuments in Pinaglabanan Shrine.

“This was done through two city ordinances: CO. 52, Series of 2021, which relocates the Dr. Jose Rizal monument situated at the Plaza ng Masa to the Pinaglabanan Shrine, and CO. 55, Series of 2021, which relocates the monuments of Gat. Andres Bonifacio situated at the corner of Pinaglabanan and Valenzuela Streets, and Gen. Emilio Jacinto at the corner of Pinaglabanan and P. Narciso Streets to the Pinaglabanan Shrine,” statement from the San Juan City Government said.

Both ordinances were approved unanimously by the City Council, including the Minority Councilors, and were approved on September 20, 2021, and October 4, 2021, respectively.

“The decision to transfer the monuments was intended to pay proper respect and reverence to the heroes who fought in the Battle of Pinaglabanan,” the statement said.

With the relocation of the monuments of Rizal, Bonifacio and Jacinto to the

Pinaglabanan Shrine, visitors can now witness and better appreciate a trio of Eduardo Castrillo's masterpieces, which, when combined with the Castrillo

"Spirit of Pinaglabanan" sculpture at the inner portion of the Pinaglabanan Shrine creates a remarkable ensemble of 4 Castrillo sculptures that welcomes visitors to the shrine.

According to the City Government, safety reasons also prompted the transfer of the monuments, with several vehicular accidents reported in the intersections where the monuments of Bonifacio and Jacinto were located.

It is also important to note that the transfer of the monuments was approved by the NHCP, with the locations of the monuments carefully studied by the combined groups of the Local Government Unit and the NHCP and proposed by the group to the NHCP for approval.

“The NHCP gave approval of the proposed locations on September 21, 2021, signed by then Officer-in-charge of the Office of Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, upon earlier coordination with the NHCP,” the City Government said.

Furthermore, the LGU and the NHCP executed an agreement on the transfer of the monuments to Pinaglabanan Shrine. Under the agreement, the monuments will be maintained by the restoration experts of the NHCP for their better care.

“We would like to emphasize that all three monuments are in strategic locations for visitors of Pinaglabanan Shrine to properly appreciate the artistic representations of our national heroes. With the pandemic restrictions lifted, more visitors have been recorded in Pinaglabanan Shrine, with an average of 3,000 visitors per day,” the City Government said.

Additionally, since opening the El Deposito Underground Reservoir, more tours have been accepted in the shrine, with over 100 buses full of students visiting during peak days.

San Juan said there are eight (8) national shrines in Metro Manila, including Pinaglabanan Shrine recognized and designated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as having historical significance and cultural value to the country.

The Pinaglabanan Shrine is a national shrine that commemorates the Battle of Pinaglabanan, which was fought on August 30, 1896.

The battle marked the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule.

The shrine also serves as a memorial to the bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino soldiers who fought for their freedom, led by Gat. Andres Bonifacio and Gen. Emilio Jacinto. The names of  fallen heroes are engraved on the hallowed walls of the shrine.“Regarding the transfer of monuments in Pinaglabanan Shrine, it should be noted that the San Juan City Council initiated the transfer of the monuments from their original locations, the Plaza ng Masa for Jose Rizal and along the streets of Pinaglabanan Shrine for Bonifacio and Jacinto, to the Pinaglabanan Shrine itself,” the statement said.

The City Government said they remain committed to give proper reverence and recognition to our heroes and as such, shall ensure that the Pinaglabanan Shrine will be among the Philippines’ top historical destinations. (san juan pio/pia-ncr)