NCCA to work with National Museum over pulpit panels

CEBU, Philippines — The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has assured that it will find “the best solution” with the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) regarding the issue on the pulpit panels of Patrocinio de Maria Church in the town of Boljoon Cebu.

The pulpit panels, which were reportedly stolen from the church in Boljoon in the 1980s, have recently resurfaced after they were donated to the NMP.

“We will work with National Museum to work out the best solution para atong madungog ang mga gi-request sa mga tawo, kanilang mga gihangyo,” NCCA chair Victorino Manalo told Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during their meeting at the Capitol on March 13.

Manalo was with NCCA Commissioner on Cultural Heritage Dr. Ivan Henares and Joseph Patrick Lee the chief of the Cultural Properties Protection and Regulation Division of NCCA.

According to Manalo, they personally heard the clamor of the residents in Boljoon to return to their church the pulpit panels after they recently visited Boljoon church.

“Their concern is really for the return of the panels and we’re going to work with the National Museum to make sure that we address the needs,” he said.

During the meeting Manalo told the governor that there’s “a very big chance” that these pulpits will be returned to Patrocinio de Maria Church but “it all depends really on the answer of the National Museum”.

Manalo said he will speak to NMP director general Jeremy Barns about the matter as the latter is also a member of the board of NCCA. – /ATO (FREEMAN)