DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines — City engineers are now conducting an assessment to determine the structural integrity of the centuries-old belfry of the Cathedral in this city-a historical and religious landmark-following Tuesday's earthquake that rocked Central Visayas.
An initial inspection Wednesday by JP Mariño of the City Engineer's Office showed a possible shift of the four-story coral stone structure built during the Spanish era.
Cracks in the belfry's foundation posts and walls were visible with some gaps wide enough to warrant the decision to cordon off the site, although parishioners were still allowed to go there, at a certain distance, to light candles and pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto on the side of the tower.
During the tremor, many coral stone blocks were dislodged and rolled down the side of the belfry.
Cathedral parish rector, Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, said the belfry, constructed in 1867, was originally used as a watchtower to detect the coming of sea pirates from Mindanao.
Sometime in 1935, the Catholic Church built an additional upper level structure, converting the tower into a belfry, which original bell, when tolled, rang all the way to nearby Valencia town, according to Buenaventura Balbuena, an 88-year-old Catechist and lay minister familiar with the Cathedral's history.
Balbuena said a strong earthquake in 1925 had caused the tower to lean on its side but it was rebuilt later on.
Heruela said the Church will wait for instructions from the City Engineer's Office before deciding on what action to take on the belfry.
Meanwhile, an 8-man team from the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will be visiting the city today for an evaluation of the damaged belfry, Heruela said, adding that the visit will determine how the agency can help in the repair. (FREEMAN)