Reliving History: A Conservation Management Program for the Gabaldon Schoolhouse in Iloilo City

Abstract

This study investigates the historical significance, architectural integrity, and current conservation challenges of the Gabaldon schoolhouse located at Iloilo Central Elementary School (ICES) in Iloilo City, Philippines. Constructed in 1915 under the Gabaldon Act (Act No. 1801), the structure exemplifies early American colonial efforts to institutionalize public education through climate-adapted architecture. Employing a descriptive-qualitative research design, the study utilized archival review, physical site inspection, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders to document the building’s material condition, cultural value, and maintenance practices. The findings reveal that while the Gabaldon schoolhouse retains many of its original design features, it faces serious conservation threats due to termite infestation, roof deterioration, and unauthorized modifications. Despite the presence of legal protections under Republic Act No. 11194 and the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, implementation gaps persist at the school level, largely due to limited resources and lack of technical guidance. Stakeholder perspectives highlight a strong desire for preservation but also underscore the functional pressures of maintaining a heritage structure within a working school environment. The study proposes a site-specific Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and recommends capacity-building initiatives, inter-agency collaboration, and curriculum integration to safeguard the structure. The findings contribute to localized heritage discourse and offer a replicable framework for the conservation of Gabaldon schoolhouses nationwide.