An article by Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J., Ph. D. Written between February to March 2001 and constituting as the total content of Chapter One, this article serves as the anchor text of the whole thrust of this Position Paper.

In the concluding part of this article, Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J., laments when he writes:

"Today the 'Fort of the Immaculate Conception and of the Triunfo' still stands, but is in sad fate..."

After more than fifty (50) years as the City of Ozamiz was created under R.A. 321 on June 19, 1948 and inaugurated on July 16, 1948, the Local Government's obvious neglect of its historic Fort stands ironic, particularly because the content of the Official Seal of Ozamiz City constitutes the aforementioned Fort (the oldest structure in the City and symbol of strength, peace and order) as well as the Sacred Shrine with the blessed Virgin as the Patroness, - all raised up as it were by the motto "Fortis in Fide", meaning strength in faith.

Fr. Bernad raises this excellent proposal when he states that:

"If the ground around it could be cleared and the whole area declared a park belonging to the national patrimony, we would have here a very fine monument... It is a fine looking fort and worth visiting and may become a tourist attraction."

He finally concludes his article with an exhortation saying:

"The people of what is now called Ozamiz City should take an interest in the preservation and beautification of the fort and its surroundings. This fort is one of their irreplaceable treasures." treasures."

Thus, consequent to the government's neglect of this historic Fort and what other related agencies have contributed to its fate 'lies the fundamental problems and needs as to what we are appealing and the urgent reasons why.

This is the fundamental wisdom of our appeal!