ILOCOS SUR -- Around 20 tourist attractions and establishments in Bantay town and Vigan City here were found to have sustained minor to major damages during the magnitude 7 earthquake on Wednesday, July 27.
The damages were spotted after an initial inspection conducted by the Ilocos Sur Provincial Tourism Development and Promotion Office.
The provincial tourism coordinated with various tourists, homeowners, managers and urged them to conduct assessment in their structures for damages and cracks.
Some of the structures that were assessed were the following:
1. Bantay Bell Tower (severe cracks and fallen debris)
2. Bantay Church (long cracks, fallen plaster and wall bricks)
3. St. Paul Cathedral and Bell Tower (fallen facade plaster and bricks)
4. Heritage house former Collado Arts and Souvenirs located at Calle Crisologo cor. Bonifacio St.
5. House located along Gen. Luna St.
6. Fallen electricity transmission along Gen. Luna St.
7. Old structure located along Gen. Luna St.
8. Cornelia Antonio Parel Heritage House (cracks on walls and staircase)
9. La Casa Blanca (Top wall brick damages)
10. Walls and tanod outpost located at Balay Para Hawaii
11. Some artifacts of Syquia Mansion were damaged
12. Quema Mansion
13. Villa Angela Heritage House (collapsed portion of clay roof and artifacts were damaged)
14. Heritage House in Calle Crisologo cor. Diego Silang St. (roof damages)
15. Heritage House ruins located at Gov. A. Reyes St. cor. Diego Silang St. (collapsed wall)
16. Commercial building (Vigan Liquor Mart and etc.) located along Gov. A. Reyes St. (Top wall brick damages)
17. Heritage house (Angelo Shoes and etc.) along Gen. Luna St. (Top wall bricks were destroyed)
For the 2nd inspection and assessment of Ilocos Sur Provincial Tourism Development and Promotion Office on Thursday, the following structures have minor and major damages and were closed for public:
1. San Esteban: St. Stephen Parish Church
2. Candon: St. John de Sahagun Church and Belfry, Candon City Museum (Cariño House), Bessa Ancestral House, Rodriguez Ancestral House
3. San Vicente: St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church
The provincial tourism said that before tourists establishments could operate, they need to undergo inspection and assessment.
The IPTDPO will continue to coordinate with its counterparts and conduct inspection and assessment of tourism-related establishments within the province.
This will ensure the safety and fast recovery of the industry.