Vintar: Three century-old tunnels in Vintar have been officially recognized as important cultural properties. Municipal tourism operations officer Erwin Suguitan confirmed this as the town progresses in its efforts to include these structures in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP), a comprehensive repository aimed at documenting the country’s cultural heritage.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tunnels, constructed in 1925 during the American era, are located in Barangay P.F. Alviar and Barangay Abkir. Suguitan emphasized their role as vital conduits for agriculture, ensuring the distribution of water from Vintar to fields as far as Pasuquin. Though they might appear to be simple canals, these tunnels are significant engineering feats that have supported the local agricultural community for over a century.
The tunnels, currently under the management of the National Irrigation Administration, are set to be acknowledged as centennial structures within the municipality’s agricultural sector. Suguitan highlighted the importance of their continued functionality, which attests to both their engineering prowess and historical significance. Official recognition will ensure these structures receive protection for future generations.
In addition to the tunnels, Vintar’s cultural inventory includes notable sites such as the Vintar dam, St. Nicholas de Tolentino Roman Catholic Church, historic Gabaldon and Nagtalon buildings, Via Crucis in Barangay 4, and the town’s old municipal building. Local officials, led by Mayor Richard Degala, are committed to safeguarding these cultural properties and fostering heritage awareness, particularly among the youth.
