Experts to meet next month

CEBU, Philippines - In order to thoroughly discuss the restoration of damaged churches and heritage structures in Cebu and Bohol caused by the powerful earthquake last year, an experts’ conference will be done in Cebu on November 17 and will be followed by Bohol from November 18 to 21.

The gathering of 40 local and international experts in the fields of archaeology, heritage conservation, structural and geotechnical earthquake engineering, structural geology, chemical engineers, historians, among others also aims to craft the Philippine Standard on Conservation handbook. It is considered to be first in history.

Up for discussion in Cebu conference are the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and Fort San Pedro, whose restoration works are being supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

In Bohol, where the activity is to be done longer since more structures were affected, a total of 14 structures will be discussed.

Under NHCP are the churches of Dauis, Baclayon, and Loay, while those under National Museum are the churches of Loon, Maribojoc, Loboc, Cortes, Dimiao, Panglao, and Alburquerque, as well as watch towers of Punta Cruz, Balilihan, Panglao, and Loay.

Apart from experts who will basically dissect the findings of the studies conducted in each of the damaged churches and heritage structures, concerned parish priests and observers are also welcome to attend.

The information was revealed yesterday by the Basilica del Santo Niño technical team composed of structural engineer Jerry Maratas from JEMAR Engineering Services, architect Melva Java from University of San Carlos and National Committee on Momuments and Sites of the National Commission on Culture and Arts, Father Harold Rentoria being the chairperson of the Commission on Augustinian Cultural Heritage as well as the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage of the NCCA.

The rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Father Jonas Mejares also spoke about the ongoing restoration efforts during the press briefing yesterday.

He thanked the local media for helping them and the government authorities in getting across the tedious work that they have been doing and that restoration does not happen overnight.

Architect Java explained that this is an extremely laborious task.

“We cannot do an immediate restoration because first we have to do retrieval, following proper protocol... Retrieval alone takes months... after the retrieval, there are many procedures to do like soil boring and the like,” Java explained.

She likened the restoration works to a medical doctor running several tests before giving the diagnosis and the medicine to prescribe.

“We have to be able to understand and identify which structures are for restoration whether partial or full. The detailed engineering plan has to crafted. Then a public hearing will be done, feasibility studies, and another public hearing with the stakeholders. We are doing it correctly and I think we are at pace,” Java added.

Restoration works for religious heritage structures in both Bohol and Cebu are funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

The NCCA is funded P10 million to conduct the experts’ conference. NHCP is appropriated P80 million for pre-restoration while NM is given P60 million.

Total initial funding allotted for pre-restoration phase is pegged at P650 million.

As only P150 million has been released so far, the second tranche for release is set at P280 million. Apart from TIEZA, the General Appropriations Act 2015 is also set to fund for the restoration efforts as both NM and NHCP have each proposed P500 million.

Also discussed in the press briefing at the Basilica Pilgrim Center was the actual date when the damaged belfry will be fixed as well as the reopening of the church that was closed pending assessment from experts.

“It depends on the results of the conference. We cannot really say when until we have the findings of the detailed engineering and technical conference,” Java said.

“When will we open the church? It also depends on the experts conference findings. But tentatively, we might open it either last week of November or first week of December,” Mejares said.

“We are after the safety of the public. We would like to ask for help from our friends in the media that the church is still closed,” Rentoria said.

Mejares said that as soon as the church reopens, only morning masses will be held inside and the afternoon and evening celebrations will be done at the pilgrim center.  (FREEMAN)