Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Sunday, July 31, called for the inspection and restoration of historical sites and structures damaged by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Philippines last week.
This, he said in a statement, will ensure the preservation of the sites that “form part of our country’s rich culture and heritage.”
“It is heartbreaking to see the destruction caused by the earthquake. There should be no let-up in the effort to provide assistance to the families affected by the calamity, including the rebuilding of their homes so that they can return to their normal lives as early as possible,” Angara noted.
But while relief and reconstruction work is already underway, a similar effort should be done to protect the historic structures so as not to cause further destruction.
The earthquake on Wednesday, July 27, killed at least five persons, injured over 100, and damaged millions’ worth of private and public properties.
The epicenter of the quake was in Abra but nearby provinces in the Ilocos region suffered, too.
READ: Magnitude 7.0 earthquake jolts parts of Luzon — Phivolcs
The Department of Tourism (DOT) identified the following heritage sites as among those damaged by the earthquake: Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Church, San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine, Vigan Cathedral, Bantay Bell Tower, the St. John the Baptist Church, and heritage houses such as the Syquia House in Vigan City.
The senator pointed out that the National Endowment for Culture and the Arts under Article XIV, Section 50 of Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act, of which he is a principal author, can be tapped for the restoration effort.
The fund, which is administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, is held in a special account in the Bureau of Treasury and can be used exclusively for the implementation of culture and arts programs and projects.
RA 10066 states that “all cultural properties declared as important cultural property may also receive government funding for its protection, conservation and restoration.”
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has committed to rehabilitate the damaged historic sites and structures with the help of the local government units concerned and the cultural property owners.
READ: Earthquake destroys, damages old houses, churches, vehicles in Vigan City
However, the senator also urged the private sector to help in the relief and reconstruction efforts, including the repair of the damaged historical sites.
“These structures offer us a glimpse into the country’s past and should be preserved for future generations. The rehabilitation process should also take into consideration introducing improvements to make them up to code, if possible,” Angara said.