Statement of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano Chair, Senate
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture

"I welcome the issuance of the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) against DMCI's Torre de Manila condominium project in Manila. The CDO suspends the construction of the 49-storey tower across Rizal Park that has significantly compromised the landscape of the Rizal Monument."

"It is high time that we, as a people, take the protection of our history, culture and heritage more seriously as these make up the intangible ideals that bind us as Filipinos and define our national identity."

"I fully support the NCCA in asserting its mandate to safeguard our heritage. The Rizal Shrine, as a national monument, is entitled to full protection under our national heritage law, whose objective is to preserve and protect important cultural properties and national cultural treasures and to safeguard their intrinsic value within their historical setting, and that includes their vistas and visual corridors."

"It is not too late to rectify the lapses that led to the construction of the Torre de Manila skyscraper that has now marred the sightline of the historic Rizal Shrine. I believe the CDO is a step in the right direction towards correcting those mistakes and putting things back in order."