Experts find ways to best restore heritage structures

CEBU, Philippines - At least 40 local and international experts participated in a closed-door conference yesterday to come up with ways to restore heritage structures damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that jolted Central Visayas last year.

The event was initially announced to be open to the public, but Fr. Harold Rentoria of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts told The Freeman that discussions were seen to be highly technical so it was decided to have the conference exclusive to participants.

“It is highly technical so we decided to have it closed door. We will be releasing statement on the findings,” Rentoria explained.

Rentoria is also the chairman of the heritage commission of the Augustianian Fathers religious community that manages the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino in Cebu.

A dinner was hosted last night by the Basilica after the thorough discussion of the restoration plan for both the church whose belfry collapsed and Fort San Pedro, which sustained cracks.

Aside from yesterday’s conference, experts will then hold another session in Bohol from November 18 to 21. With the quake’s epicenter traced to the island, more structures were either damaged or destroyed there. The discussion will tackle 14 structures particularly those in Dauis, Baclayon, Loay, Loon, Maribojoc, Loboc, Cortes, Dimiao, and Panglao.

While the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is tasked for the restoration in Cebu, it is also working with the National Museum for the efforts in Bohol.

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

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

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

Because 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. (FREEMAN)