LAOAG CITY -- The restoration of the 207-year old St. Anne Parish in Piddig, Ilocos Norte is now in full swing, church officials said on Monday.
Fr. Carlito “Joey” Ranjo Jr., head of the restoration committee of the Diocese of Laoag said in an interview that it took about two years for experts to study the structure and materials used to determine the correct approach to fully restore the church.
The winning bidder J.S. Lim Construction and Trading is currently implementing the restoration works in such structures as the bell tower and perimeter walls, and retrofitting of the deteriorating buttresses and wooden roofing.
The contractor announced it is in need of more highly-skilled workers to complete the restoration works by early January next year.
Worth PHP46.8 million pesos, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) funded the project in recognition of its historical value.
As one of the oldest churches in the province, the restoration is important in the colorful history of Piddig, popularly known as the home of the Basi Revolt, said Carminda Arevalo, NHCP Deputy Director for Administration.
"The church has witnessed so much devastation over the course of time. It’s now our time to put in our faith, to endure and cooperate with one another, to continue the living faith of our ancestors through this church restoration,” Bishop Renato Mayugba of the Diocese of Laoag said.
In September 2014, the local government unit of Piddig through its Municipal Engineer recommended the closure of the church for fear that it may endanger churchgoers because the old church was already "unfit for occupancy." (PNA)
