NHCP to ask Palace for funds to restore Pampanga historical churches damaged by quake

April 25, 2019

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will ask Malacanang to provide funds for the restoration of historical churches, which could have been damaged by a strong earthquake that hit some parts of Luzon.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, NHCP chairman Rene Escalante said during their initial inspection of some churches in Pampanga, one of the hardest quake-affected areas, they noticed that some incurred damage.

"Now, we are still waiting for words from Malacanang if they will appropriate calamity fund for all these cultural heritage that were partly damaged by the earthquake because—like in the past wherein former DBM (Department of Budget and Management) Secretary (Florencio) Butch Abad appropriated one billion (pesos) for the cultural heritage and 500 million (pesos), this went to our agency, and the other half went to the National Museum under Director (Jeremy) Barnes," he said.

"Now, with the worse case scenario if there will be no calamity fund, then we have no choice but to submit this to DBM for possible inclusion in the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2020," he added.

He said there were at least four churches, considered part of cultural heritage, in Pampanga, which were affected by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Luzon last Monday.

They are located in Angeles City, Lubao, Betis and Minalin municipalities.

Escalante could not yet estimate how much is needed for restoration as detailed engineering study is ongoing.

But he noted that for a church in Lubao where the belfry collapsed, the amount needed could be P10 million.

Currently, the official said their immediate concern is safety of the parishioners.

"But we also told the Archbishop that if ever you have funds intended for the restoration and then for the activation of these churches, they must also participate. We cannot rely completely on government funds, because in the first place, these are their property," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS