"What Ever Happened To The Huluga Archaeological Site?"

"WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE HULUGA ARCHAEOLOGICAL S I T E ?

"WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE HULUGA ARCHAEOLOGICAL S I T E ? "

CaseAnalysis

Location

Huluga Archaeological site is located in Sitio Taguanao, Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro. The said site is comprised of two caves and an open site promontory overlooking the Cagayan River.

In the 70s, it was explored by the field reporters from National Museum. These reporters include Dr. Jesus T. Peralta who made a report about the survey study and Dr. Erlinda M. Burton who worked hand-inhand in discovering the artifacts in the site.

Huluga Fossils and Artifacts

Although the majority of the artifacts discovered in the Philippines were looted and destroyed, some survived the disaster. Those who survived were brought to experts, who used them to conduct scientific research on the Huluga Archaeological site. Scholars were able to learn from these discoveries that the earliest inhabitants of Huluga used the Open site as their village and the caves as their burial ground.

Dr. Jeffrey Bada was the prime developer of amino acid racemization which was the primary dating technique used to date the artifacts. In Dr. Antonio J. Montalvan II's article about the site, he stated that through this dating technique, they were able to identify that Huluga had its first inhabitants dating from 350 AD.

CaseAnalysis

Huluga Fossils and Artifacts

Photos from: Heritage Conservation Advocates (2021)

Fossilsandartifactsthatwerefoundinthe OPENSITE

Whale harpoon head found by Elson T. Elizaga and identified by Dr Eusebio Dizon.

Ming and Ching Dynasty jar sherds Identified by Dr. Erlinda M Burton

Earthenware sherds found during surface scan by HCA members

Maravedis coin minted in Segovia, Spain Found by Elson T. Elizaga

obsidian flakes found by HCA members and identified by Dr. Antonio Montalvan II and Dr Erlinda M Burton

Fossilsandartifactsthatwerefound intheCAVES

The skull found belongs to a woman around the age of 30 Beside it are tools and ornaments that were also find together with the skull. A fraction of the skull was sent to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and it was later discovered that it was dated around 350 AD.

It is currently displayed in Museo de Oro, Xavier University

CaseAnalysis

Huluga:TheCulturalandArchaeological Significance

Dr. Montalvan II (2009) said that Huluga was once called "Himologan" and was deemed to be the prehistoric Cagayan. The Open Site was the location of a prehistoric, fortified village that was populated by 500 natives according to Spanish friars in 1622.

It wasn't until around 1626 that Himologan chief Datu Salangsang and his people were persuaded by Fray Agustin de San Pedro to relocate the town to the current Gaston Park - St. Augustine Cathedral complex.

In 1992, the National Museum assigned accession numbers X-91-Q2 to the Huluga Open Site and X-91-R2 to the caves. This indicated that the areas and their artifacts are invaluable Philippine Heritage This also means that the local government should do its best to preserve and protect these historical sites as this upholds the rich history and culture of the place.

Indeed, the Huluga Archaeological Site has a huge significance, especially in the Cagayan de Oro culture and archaeology.

SketchoftheancientsettlementofCagayanbyNonoyEstarte,MuseodeOro,XavierUniversity

CaseAnalysis

Well,WhatHappened?

In 1999, then-Mayor Vicente Y. Emano designed the plan to destroy Huluga to give way to the development of a P635 Million road-and-bridge project. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

asked them to cease the operation and issued a

order in response to Heritage Conservation Advocates' (HCA) persistent protest about the project. However, unbeknownst to HCA at the time, it was lifted and the project resumed in 2002, despite the fact that it lacked an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) and was, and continues to be, illegal.

On June 7, 2003, members of HCA were astonished to discover that a road had split through 60-80% of the Huluga Open Site. Although they spared the caves, it is still a huge damage to a historical site. HCA members were still able to collect some artifacts on the site that resembles the ones that can be found in neighboring countries like Indonesia and Australia

On July 16, 2003, HCA members filed a case against Mayor Emano and his contractor before the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). The resolution states that Mayor Emano and his contractor violated existing laws, rules and regulations involving management, preservation, and protection of the Heritage Site.

FormerMayorVicenteY.Emano

cease-and-desist

CaseAnalysis

Well,WhatHappened?

12 days later, on July 28, 2003, HCA sent a picture to then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo showing the destruction Along with the photo is a letter of request, asking her to stop the construction of the road immediately. However, it was still continued.

It was ironic that President Macapagal-Arroyo had to make a speech at UNESCO's 32nd General Conference in Paris, praising their efforts to preserve the Philippines' cultural heritage.

While in her country, Mayor Emano presided over the groundbreaking of the road-and-bridge project that destroyed a large portion of Huluga.

On January 2004, the city council, which is monopolized by Emano's political party, approved an ordinance enabling Emano to sign a contract with the Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) of the University of the Philippines to carry out recovery archaeology in Huluga and surrounding areas. ASP, however, violated the archaeological code of ethics by failing to consult with local archaeologists and other concerned citizens in Cagayan de Oro.

“The city historical and cultural commission, the group that is supposed to be concerned about Huluga and other heritage sites, did not lift a finger to stop this desecration. One of its members, Nanette Roa, who has the gall to run for councilor today, said Huluga was not damaged at all, despite the scattering of pottery sherds on the road. Later, she said Huluga was only a “camp-like” area.” (Elizaga 2019)

PresidentMacapagal-Arroyodeliveringher speechinUNESCO'sGeneralConference

CaseAnalysis

ViolationsmadebytheCity

Montalvan II (2009) listed 5 violations that were violated by Emano's camp in his article. These violations are the following:

No one from the office admitted that there were maps already availableshowingthedevelopmentsiteoftheHulugaarea

Mr. Jorie Bingona, the city engineer, admitted that no map was available. He recognized the construction firm as White Horse Trading, Development, and Construction Incorporation, which has an office on Cruz Taal St., behind Roket Theater. A visit was conducted to the company and the company staff admitted that they had no map. Aside from that, they stated that Mayor Emano nor any of the city officials assessed then of the historical value of Huluga.

Upon visiting the site, it was obvious that Mayor Emano ignored Dr. Burton's recommendation that no heavy construction take placewithina2000-meterradiusoftheHulugacavearea.

Before the tragedy, Dr. Burton submitted a recommendation to Mayor Emano on how to proceed with the project without damaging the site. However, the eastern side approach to the bridge is only a few thousand meters away from the cave. Aside from the possibility of structural damage to the caves, this would also mean that the caves would now be accessible to people, including potential looters, treasure hunters, and more.

constructionmaterialsplacedneartheopensite

CaseAnalysis

ViolationsmadebytheCity

The worst abuse is being doled out to the site near the Huluga Open Site.

A big portion of the open site will be damaged to give way to the road in order for the project to proceed. There were trees that are going to be cut down. Most likely, this will result in permanent damage to the Open Site since a massive chunk of the earth will be moved. There might also be a possibility that the site will yield still unearthed artifacts and pieces of evidence of prehistoric Cagayan culture.

Verbal assurances were only given by Mayor Emano when he announced the plan in 1999, nonetheless, these were reneged by him.

Theprojectdidnotundergotheproperenvironmentalprocedures. Before doing any city projects, the city must conduct a field survey first in order to see if the project will be affected by any environmental disturbances such as earthquakes, flooding, and mass wasting. In this case, during the 2001 field survey together with DOT, DENR, and DPWH, it was revealed that none of the project proponents applied for the Environmental Impact Assessment. Failure to do this means that they will not issue you an Environmental Clearance Certificate.

Mayor Vicente Y. Emano did not hold any consultations with people who have the proper professional knowledge about archeologicalsites.

CaseAnalysis

Whatthismeansforusbabyarchaeologists...

The government’s apathy and state-sponsored assault on Huluga and other archaeological sites in the Philippines is the most significant barriertotheirpreservation.

After reading various articles, nothing but frustration towards the government runs through our veins. Many agencies were approached by the HCA, hoping that they will listen to them and make immediate action. As usual, they were too slow to respond.

Politicians who "promised" HCA that they will help them with this problem were nowhere to be found. Elizaga (2004) stated that HCA received written and verbal promises from then-senator Loren Legarda and Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who was also a Cagayan de Oro native, but nothing fruitful came of it. Presidential advisers Luis Lorenzo and Tingting Cojuangco met with HCA members, but no decisions were made.

Chin-Chin Gutierrez, an actress and environmentalist, attended a press conference in Cagayan de Oro wearing an elaborate native headdress and delivering inspiring messages. When she was shown photos of Huluga and asked to visit the site, she declined, explaining that she had a concert rehearsal. Performative activism at its finest.

Chin-chin Guttierez during an enviromental press conference at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro in2003

CaseAnalysis

Cases like the Huluga Archaeological Site proves how weak our laws are when it comes to preserving cultural and historical heritage. People, especially those who have the power and influence, can get away with it because they know that nobody is going to try to come across them. Laws should be further studied and re-evaluated so that we can assure that even big names like Mayor Emano can not get away with it and would face the consequences of their actions.

It is important to take care of these sites because it is part of our identity as Filipinos. Destroying this is like destroying a part of yourself. Hence, it is of utmost importance that we raise awareness of this matter and advocate for proper protection of the site. Afterall, what we are preserving is our collective legacy - a part of our shared identity as Filipinos. Together, we must act now.

References

Burton, Erlinda M. “1975 Exploration of Huluga Sites.” Heritage Conservation Advocates, 2003. http://heritage.elizaga.net/explorations/burton-huluga-1975.html.

Elizaga, Elson T. “Salvaging Huluga Archaeological Site.” Salvaging the huluga archaeological site. Heritage Conservation Advocates, 2004. http://heritage.elizaga.net/views/elizaga-salvaging.html.

Elizaga, Elson T. “Alubijid and Huluga Archaeological Sites.” Mindanao Gold Star Daily, May 15, 2019. https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/96712.

Elizaga, Elson T. “Huluga Fossils and Artifacts.” Heritage Conservation Advocates, 2021. http://heritage.elizaga.net/huluga/artifacts/index.html.

Elizaga, Elson T. “Primer on Huluga.” Heritage Conservation Advocates, 2019. http://heritage.elizaga.net/huluga/primer.html.

Fabe, Bong. “Infra Project ‘Desecrates’ Cagayan De Oro Prehistoric Site; Senate Inquiry Sought.” Philstar.com. Philstar.com, 2003. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2003/08/20/217833/infra-project-145desecrates146cagayan-de-oro-prehistoric-site-senate-inquiry-sought.

Montalvan, Antonio J. “The Tragedy of Huluga.” Heritage Conservation Advocates, 2009. http://heritage.elizaga.net/views/montalvan-huluga.html.