DUMAGUETE CITY -- The multi-million-peso restoration projects of Catholic churches in the towns of Dauin and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental are set to start soon as these have been awarded to the winning bidders.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Director Ludovico D. Badoy disclosed this here on Monday, as he met with the contractors, members of the Commission on Church Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Dumaguete, local officials of Dauin and Zamboanguita towns, and parish priests and church workers of the centuries-old churches to iron out details of the upcoming renovations.
The NHCP has chosen to restore three churches under the Diocese of Dumaguete -- the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in Dauin, Negros Oriental; the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental; and San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Lazi, Siquijor.
The church in Lazi, Siquijor has begun, but the ones in Dauin and Zamboanguita are about to start.
In an interview, Badoy explained that the restoration projects have to start at the earliest time possible to beat the government’s deadline, or else, the funds would have to be returned to the national coffers.
“We were able to get funding for these two very historical churches and we would want to immediately start (the) restoration nga atong himoon dinhi sa duha ka simbahan (that we will undertake in these two churches,” Badoy said.
“As of now, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has instructed all agencies in government that by the end of the first quarter of next year, all projects must be completed. Otherwise, the money will be reverted to the DBM,” he explained.
Badoy reiterated what NHCP chairman Dr. Rene Escalante had announced last week that the NHCP has earmarked more or less PHP70 million for restoration projects for Negros Oriental and Siquijor under the coverage of the Diocese of Dumaguete.
“This is including Lazi (church), which has already started its restoration project,” he said, referring to the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Lazi, Siquijor, which has a funding of more than PHP39 million.
The church in Zamboanguita has about PHP9-million budget, while the one in Dauin has some PHP19 million for the restoration of the churches, which, upon inspection by the NHCP, showed that their Spanish-era walls and façades were still almost intact.
Badoy said the restoration project in Dauin might have to wait a few weeks until after its town fiesta on Sept. 10, while Zamboanguita could start immediately once everything is in place.
Present during the meeting on Monday afternoon were Msgr. Julius Heruela, chairman of the Commission on Church Cultural Heritage, Dauin parish priest Msgr. Albert Bohol, Dauin Mayor Neil Credo, Zamboanguita parish priest Fr. Oscar Calunod, Zamboanguita Mayor Glenson Alanano, council members, and other stakeholders of the two municipalities, among others.
Discussions focused on project plans, scope of work, other documentary requirements, and the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the stakeholders and the NHCP. (PNA)
