Iloilo City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City has approved an agreement with the National Museum of the Philippines for excavation and pre-restoration activities at Fort San Pedro, aimed at uncovering and preserving the site's historical foundations.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ordinances, Resolutions, Style, Justice, and Legal Affairs, the project at the Fuerza De Nuestra Señora Del Rosario, or Fort San Pedro, will involve a detailed investigation to determine the original architecture and structural foundations. Councilor Frances Grace Parcon-Torres, chair of the committee, outlined that the initiative seeks to identify and restore the original elements of the fort, which served as a critical waterfront defense during World War II. The planned excavation is set to focus on six initial test pit locations, with potential restoration to its 1602 structure if the findings deem the site eligible.
The fort, damaged in 1945 and later transformed into a commercial and recreational area in the 1960s, is characterized by its distinctive bastion-wall shapes and massive masonry typical of historical fortifications. Museum Declaration 23-2016 previously recognized the site's significant cultural and historical value, leading to its designation as an important cultural property. This status supports its inclusion in the cultural heritage tourism zone of Iloilo City, as outlined in Republic Act 10555, the National Tourism Act of 2009.
Mayor Jerry Treñas and NMP chairperson Victorino Manalo are set to formalize the partnership, which promises to enhance understanding of the site's historical significance and ensure its preservation for future generations.