Save our Beloved Gabaldon!

It has come to our attention that the local government of Nabua, thru the Mayors Office, has given a May 15 deadline to the tenants currently occupying the premises of the building named Nabua Cultural Center. This is to give way to the demolition of the said building to pave the way for the construction of a new building to house the towns New Municipal Building.

We have also gathered that the process by which the implementation of such an order for all the tenants of Nabua Cultural Center to vacate its premises did not go through the towns Sanguniang Bayan for discussion and deliberation in the proper forum. Neither the public was consulted about the planned demolition of the said building as only the signature of the various department heads of the local government was solicited on the planned eviction of the buildings tenants.

It is with great concern then that we voice objection to the planned move as this is not only an assault to the Cultural Heritage of our town but is also an affront to the civil liberties of all Nabuenos as it is the inherent right of any bonafide citizen of the town to be consulted by the towns leaders on any or all action that would affect them.

As we understand, the funds for the construction of the said building did not come from the municipal government and neither was the land a property of the local government because as the land itself was donated to the people of Nabua. It is only right and proper then, that the people of Nabua should be consulted about the fate of the said building that is supposed to showcase the Cultural Heritage of the town and its people.

Also, the place currently housing the Nabua Cultural Center should be held a sacred ground for all Nabuenos because it is the site of the few remaining heritage wonders of the Golden Age of Philippine Education known as the Gabaldon Building. Only a few Gabaldon Buidlings exists in the entire Philippines from the more than 1,800 buildings that were constructed after Philippine Commonwealth Act 1801 was enacted by Assemlyman Isauro Gabaldon in 1907. Efforts to preserve Galbaldon Buildings are ongoing. In fact, Bicol University, in 2007, alloted upto P5 million for the repair of their Gabaldon Building damaged by Typhoon Reming.

It is with great urgency then that we call on the local government to desist from implementing any or all plans to demolish or further degrade the value of the piece of land formerly known to many age-old Nabuenos as Dalakit. It is not only an affront to the sensibilities of all Nabuenos but also is an insult to the cultural heritage of its people if the first venue of formal education in Nabua is further degraded just to give way to the whims and caprices of a few enterprising individuals.