
Museo Joint Partnership
The establishment of a Museo ng San Pablo has been an elusive dream for the City. Series of attempts were done in the past to come up with a permanent repository of relics, artifacts, historical records, documents and cultural traditions but nothing came close to its realization. Future generations will be denied of their concept of cultural and historical beginnings if the present ignore the call of preserving its past.
Thus, through the initiative of the San Pablo City Tourism Council with the encouragement and support of Fundacion Santiago Inc. - the Cultural Society of San Pablo, Laguna, Inc. was formed to enter into a joint partnership with the City Government through Mayor Vicente B. Amante acting under authority of the Sangguniang Panglunsod Board Resolution No. 2006-196.
In a Memorandum of Agreement, the Parties are tasked to formulate the Museo ng San Pablo Development Plan which shall undertake, execute and implement the restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive re-use of the historic Municipal Hall’s 3rd & 4th floors as a Museum that will showcase the history and people of San Pablo City. Each of the parties has its own responsibility in the development of the Museo ng San Pablo.
Among the objectives of the Museo ng San Pablo are: the promotion and the preservation and conservation of Philippine historical and cultural heritage and resources, and the development of tourism along the lines of conserving and raising an appreciation for Philippine socio-cultural heritage.
The Project Proponents:
· City Government of San Pablo represented by the City Mayor Vicente B. Amante
· Cultural Society of San Pablo, Laguna, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization
· Fundacion Santiago, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization
· San Pablo City Tourism Council, a multi-sectoral organization
Adaptive Re-use of the Municipal Hall
From the town hall with roof tiles made of bricks which was completed in 1809 -1810, located at the town plaza, the municipal hall was relocated to its present site near Sampaloc Lake.
The land was bought in 1937 by Municipal President Inocencio Barleta as future site of the town hall. The building, designed by Architect Antonio Toledo of the Bureau of Public Works’ Division of Architecture, was constructed in 1940 during the incumbency of Municipal President Cristeto Brion. It was inaugurated by President Manuel L. Quezon.