National Historical Commission of the Philippines

“ WHEREAS, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, by virtue of Republic Act No. 10086, is vested with the power to declare national historical landmarks, sites, shrines, monuments, and heritage zones/historic centers;
WHEREAS, the Santa Ana area being located near the confluence of two rivers, has long been a strategic place of human habitation and interaction as demonstrated by the 1960s discovery of more than two hundred ancient graves that yielded significant archaeological materials ”

“ AND WHEREAS, the Sta Ana core zone—composed of unique streetscapes and riverscapes, as well as historic sites and structures including the church complex, open spaces like Plaza Hugo, heritage houses, civic buildings and shops—displays meaningful inter-connections along with note-worthy modes of living and co-habitation that must be preserved and protected as the indispensable context of a vibrant community within the larger metropolis ”