Form 2F series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
Mapping of Significant Tangible Immovable Heritage
Category: Sites

NAME OF IMMOVABLE HERITAGE: “SALAPAC TUNNEL” or “USOK IDYAY SALAPAC”

PHOTO:

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. TYPE: [ ] PLAZA [ ] PARK [ ] STREET

[ ] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE [ ] HERITAGE LANDSCAPE [ ] HERITAGE WATERSCAPE
  [ ] CEMETERY [ ] BURIAL SITE [ ] RAILWAY SYSTEM
[ ] SPORTS COMPLEX [ ] PILGRIMAGE SITE [ ] OTHER
_______________________
B. OWNERSHIP [ ] PUBLIC [ ] PRIVATE

C. ADDRESS/LOCATION/COORDINATES (Longitude & Latitude):

SITIO SALAPAC, POBLACION, ARINGAY, LA UNION

D. AREA: 76,500 sq. meters

DIMENSION: 7.6 m wide, 4.5 m depth and 500 m long

E. YEAR CONSTRUCTED/ESTIMATED AGE: 1911

F. OWNERSHIP/JURISDICTION: PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS

(PNR)

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Immovable Tangible Heritage
Municipality/City of Aringay
Province of La Union
Region 1
Form 2F series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
G. DECLARATION/LEGISLATION:

 Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2016

 The Proposed Integrated Information, Tourism and Cultural Heritage Act of the Municipality
of Aringay

II. DESCRIPTION

A. Physical Description (Describe the physical features of the site and its surrounding area)

The tunnel is a former railway tunnel set in a hilly isolated terrain about 1.5 kilometers from the
main Poblacion center. The tunnel is located deep cutting through the hill and follows a rail trail that
passes through Dangalisan in Naguilian, Sablan in Benguet, Tuba in Benguet and eventually in Baguio
City. The tunnel is semi-elliptical in cross-section and around 500 meters in length from the south to
northeast. As section of the cliff around each entrance is lined with concrete wall which is topped
with a shallow projecting ledge. The year “1913” in Roman Numerals had been embossed in both
entrances. The interior of the tunnel is form from basalt, granite and concrete. Some of the walls
were chipped off due to vandalism probably from collectors and treasure hunters. There are
occasional diggings that can be noticed as you traverse the tunnel. The walls have darkened and
blackened.

B. History of the Site (Write the history of construction, use of the site over the years, history of
intervention)

1. History of construction: The construction started in 1911, although progress was slow due to
rugged terrain, extremely steep grades, financial management and labor problems, the railway
system was completed by 80%. The Aringay section of the railway track was finished in 1913 as
indicated in the archway of the Aringay tunnel. Intended for the trains of the Philippine National
Railways (PNR) bound for Baguio City, it was later abandoned by the Commonwealth Government
because of the impending Second World War.

2. Use of the site over the years: Since the rails were not positioned, the tunnel had served as a
playground for children. Carabao and goat shepherds occasionally seek shelter in the area due to its
natural coolness inside.

3. History of intervention: At this point, there had been no changes done on the tunnel. The
Municipality of Aringay wanted to develop the area as a tourist spot but since PNR owns it, they
cannot proceed with any development.

III. STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SITE

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Immovable Tangible Heritage
Municipality/City of Aringay
Province of La Union
Region 1
Form 2F series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
1. It was alleged to be a site where part of the famed Yamashita treasure was found. Many
treasure hunters came to intrude the tunnel for the search of the legendary gold.
2. The Tunnel Hill is the site where ill-fated lovers go and profess their love and commit suicide
a-la-Romeo and Juliet. It is alleged that haunting sounds came the tunnel during night time.

IV. SIGNIFICANCE

Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, socioeconomic, socio-political,
spiritual and then explain

1. Historical Significance: When the American came, they extended the railway from Dagupan
to La Union and the Aringay-Baguio Railway Line was established. Secondly, it establishes
the Commonwealth Government Policy of improving the economic life of the Philippine
countryside by developing transportation networks by establishing railways and road
networks. Thirdly, it highlighted the political rumblings in the Philippine Commission and it
showed their marked inefficiency and poor judgement. And lastly, the tunnel served as a
refuge of the Japanese forces during World War II.
2. Political Significance: The Aringay Railway tunnel constitutes physical evidence of the
Commonwealth Government policy to construct branch lines as a means of developing
municipalities in provincial level.
3. Scientific Significance: The intactness of the tunnel provides the potential to contribute
knowledge that will assist in the comparative analysis of railway tunnels that may have been
constructed in the Philippines.

V. CONSERVATION

A. STATUS/CONDITION OF THE SITE: (Describe the physical condition of the site)

[ ] Excellent
[ ] Good
[ ] Fair
[ ] Deteriorated
[ ] Ruins

Remarks: The arch of the tunnel has a large crack because of the continuing destruction done by
irresponsible individuals. Moreover, due to unauthorized camping inside the tunnel, unnecessary

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Immovable Tangible Heritage
Municipality/City of Aringay
Province of La Union
Region 1
Form 2F series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
marks like vandalism or graffiti are seen on the wall of the tunnel. The walls have accumulated soot
and is now very black.

B. INTEGRITY OF THE SITE: [ ] altered [ ] unaltered

Remarks: Since the ownership of the site is still under the Philippine National Railways (PNR), there
has been no developments or alterations done by the Municipality of Aringay on the tunnel.

C. CONSTRAINTS/THREATS/ISSUES:

The tunnel is already 107 years old and has been subjected to different forms of threats. The
wall has shown crack that weakens the walls and its arch due to forces of nature - earthquake,
typhoons and flashfloods. Add to these are human actions which impend the preservation of the
tunnel like negligence, demolition plans by the Philippine National Railways and unauthorized
digging and looting.

D. CONSERVATION MEASURES: (Describe the conservation measures taken at the level of the
community, provincial and/or national)

In 2016, The Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality made a resolution declaring the
Centennial Tunnel as a Heritage site. The Resolution was sent to the National Historical Commission
of the Philippines but its approval remains negative due to historic issues. A resolution was also
released by the Sangguniang Bayan asking PNR for land donation but their answer is negative.

VI. LIST OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE SITE

Name of Photo Year constructed Dimensions

Structure/Object or estimated age
SALAPAC TUNNEL 1911 7.6 m wide, 4.5 m
depth and 500 m long

Name of Significant Flora, Fauna Photo

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Immovable Tangible Heritage
Municipality/City of Aringay
Province of La Union
Region 1
Form 2F series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
N/A N/A

VII. REFERENCES

KEY INFORMANT/S: No Key Informant  

 
REFERENCE/S:

THE CENTENNIAL TUNNEL REPORT

Prepared by:
ROLANDO Q. MALLARI, MD, Co-Chair Municipal Tourism Culture and the Arts Council
SANDRA DIVINA C. DE VERA, Municipal Tourism Officer
MUNICIPAL TOURISM CULTURE AND THE ARTS COUNCIL
MUNICIPALITY OF ARINGAY
PROVINCE OF LA UNION July 2019

Department of Tourism Region1

Tourism Destinations in La Union
South Tourism Circuit

Myths and Legends of Aringay

Mallari, R.Q.
2018. Unpublished.

NAME OF MAPPER: JOWELL O. OAÑA  

DATE PROFILED: APRIL 21, 2020
 

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Immovable Tangible Heritage
Municipality/City of Aringay
Province of La Union
Region 1