PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, June 19 (PNA) – The city of Dapitan in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte marked the 155th birth anniversary on Sunday, June 19, of the country’s national hero with the inauguration of the modernize Museo ni Jose Rizal.
Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), led the opening of the modernized museum with Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Armin Luistro as the guest of honor.
They were joined by the Dapitan City government officials spearheaded by Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos.
The inauguration of the modernize Museo ni Jose Rizal Museum forms part of the week-long activities of the 53rd Charter Day Anniversary of Dapitan City that started June 16 and to culminate on June 22.
Gabriel Cad, Dapitan City shrine curator, disclosed the NHCP has allocated Php 100 million for the renovation of the museum.
The allocation was released in three tranches. First was Php 40 million for the renovation of the building, including the pathways; second release was Php 20 million for the curatorial and monument; and, the remaining Php 40 million is for the construction of new seawall and bike lane to be implemented next month.
The Museo ni Jose Rizal is located at the site of Rizal’s farm in Barangay Talisay, Dapitan, where the national hero spent four years in exile productively.
The museum exhibits include a variety of interactive features such as audio visual presentations, light-and-sound tableaus, holograms, and touch screen terminals featuring Rizal’s everyday activities as a political exile in Dapitan.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.
