Question & AnswerQ&A (QUEZON CITY ORDICE NO. SP-2391, S-2012)
The ordinance is officially titled as the "Quezon City Heritage Council Ordinance."
The main purpose is to identify, protect, promote, and maintain the cultural and natural heritage treasures of Quezon City, including historic sites, structures, and events considered as City Treasures.
The council is composed of the City Mayor as Honorary Chairman, the City Vice Mayor as Honorary Chairman, the Head of CPDO as Chairman, the Chairperson of the Committee on Cultural and Tourism Affairs as Vice Chairman, the Cultural and Tourism Affairs Office as Secretariat, and representatives from the City Administrator, City Planning, Engineering, Parks, Budget, BOC, NHCP, and academe specialized in related fields.
The Council can define City Treasures, investigate and document historical sites, formulate plans for development and protection, declare City Treasures, inspect properties, issue cease and desist orders, order repairs, deputize enforcement agencies, recommend acquisition or partnership for privately owned treasures, and update reports to the City Mayor, Council, and relevant national agencies.
Prohibited acts include intentionally destroying, demolishing, or damaging City Treasures; altering, modifying, or constructing on heritage sites without written consent; and importing, selling, procuring, acquiring or exporting stolen cultural treasures.
Penalties include a warning and fine of Php3,000 for the first offense; a fine of Php4,000 and imprisonment not less than two years for the second offense; and a fine of Php5,000 and imprisonment for not more than six years for the third offense.
Incentives include tax exemptions on donations, tax credits for owners of private cultural structures, priority funding for protection and restoration of City Treasures, and an incentives program for private support through national agencies.
Five Million Pesos (PhP 5,000,000.00) is appropriated for the establishment of the Quezon City Heritage Council, which shall come from available city funds.
Yes, the Council can inspect private collections or objects categorized as cultural property, but only with the prior written consent of the owner.