The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) formally turned over the Ker & Co. building, which is located next to City Hall, to the Iloilo City government earlier this week.

“We promise that we will take care of this property,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III. “We will use this to let future Ilonggos savor how magnificent it was to be an Ilonggo at the turn of the century.”

According to NHCP Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy, Ker and Co. Ltd. was one of the early foreign companies that established offices in Iloilo.

Among those present at the ceremony included Iloilo Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and Architect Reynaldo Lita; along with British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Chairman Chris Nelson, who noted, “This historical building is an indication that the British were here before and had a very successful business relationship.”

“The historical marker is also a good indicator for the future,” he added.

Last month, the building served as a venue for a mass wedding, where 62 couples tied the knot./WDJ