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| Photo of the original construction of the house oldest in La Libertad |
Again The oldest house in La Libertad, is in a controversial situation since it has been announced that this Monday, March 12, the issue of the sale of the land where the house sits to a well-known chain of stores will be discussed in a session of the council of the La Libertad canton.
According to archaeologist Erick López and other INPC (National Institute of Cultural Heritage) officials, the point on the agenda for the council session is confirmed; in light of this, there are dozens of voices on social media who oppose this sale going through.
«The demolition of the Casa de los 100 años (102 years old) is planned. This building is located on the Malecón de La Libertad – Santa Elena. The law authorizes us to stop demolitions or invasions of the heritage with the support of the public force, therefore we urge that the authorization to demolish the property in question be cancelled and we request that the property be restored, for which they have the support of the INPC technical team,» he indicated on his Facebook account. INPC Living Heritage and remember that Art. 144 of the COOTAD (Organic Code of Territorial Planning, Autonomy and Decentralization) says: “That the decentralized municipal Autonomous Governments will have the exclusive competence to preserve, maintain and disseminate the architectural, cultural and natural heritage of the canton and build public spaces for these purposes.”
For her part, the Director of Culture of Santa Elena, Susana Gomezjurado, recalls that: "the penalty is prison for destroying a heritage asset."
Meanwhile, archaeologist Erick López indicates that: «The house is cultural heritage, both by Constitution and by law, and is listed as such in the inventory of architectural assets of La Libertad and the province. That is why the silence of the municipal authorities on this issue is not explained, since according to COOTAD they are responsible for the defense and conservation of the cultural heritage of Ecuador existing in their jurisdiction. The sale made to TIA is not appropriate because the Law has not been complied with.» The concern of archaeologist López goes further, since «the subsoil is an archaeological site that has remained intact thanks to the way it was built 100 years ago.»
Martha Tomalá, one of the house's inhabitants and daughter of the grandson of the legendary Captain Aureliano Vera (who originally built the house), fondly remembers the times spent with her family and hopes that the house will not be destroyed but rather preserved.
Meanwhile, dozens of people continue to join the social media space called Friends of the Heritage of Santa Elena, from where they hope to be alert to any action that may result in destruction or damage to the province's cultural heritage.
More information about the house, from this link.
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