1 month ago
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CEBU CITY — The provincial government of Cebu and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) have partnered to restore the damaged Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church and its convent in Sibonga, southern Cebu.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Tieza general manager and chief operating officer Mark Lapid signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Jan. 17 at the Provincial Capitol building.
Sibonga Mayor Mariano Laude, First District Board Member Raul Bacaltos, Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran Jr., and Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, witnessed the event.
The restoration project will receive P110 million from Tieza for the civil works while the Provincial Capitol will oversee its implementation in line with existing laws and regulations.
The church, classified as a Level 2 Historical Site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), sustained significant damage during Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
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Garcia said heritage is an integral part of Cebu's identity.
"Heritage is a part of us, and it's an intrinsic ingredient in our culture, in the same way that our faith is the basic foundation of our culture and heritage," she said.
Built in the 1860s, the church showcases neo-gothic architecture and religious-themed ceiling paintings created by Cebuano artist Raymundo Francia in 1924.
The stone-and-coral convent, constructed in the 1930s, complements the historic site. The restoration will involve cleaning biological growth, repairing masonry and applying lime wash to prevent further deterioration.
Lapid cited the importance and delicacy of the project, calling the church a cultural jewel that requires meticulous effort.
He said the church is more than just an ordinary structure and that each component of the restoration would contribute significantly to preserving Cebu's heritage.
In November 2022, Garcia and Lapid inspected the church and evaluated the extent of the damage, which forced parishioners to hold masses in a nearby covered court.
Following their visit, Tieza committed to funding the restoration under NHCP-prescribed preservation standards.
As the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism, Tieza supports projects that enhance heritage and tourism. Lapid explained that the restoration of the Sibonga church aligns with these goals and strengthens Cebu's southern heritage trail and religious tourism.
Garcia, meanwhile, stressed the importance of restoring the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church to its former glory, recognizing its deep cultural and religious significance to both Sibonga and the province of Cebu.
