Santo Niño Basilica’s bells peal anew after ‘13 quake
CEBU CITY — The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño’s bells pealed and reverberated here and in the hearts of many Cebuanos and the Roman Catholic faithful yesterday, more than two years after a major earthquake caused significant damage to the church and other parts of Central Visayas.
On Thursday, President Aquino witnessed the official turnover of the fully restored belfry from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to basilica administrators.
The commission took over the restoration of the bell tower, which was erected beside the church in 1740, and the kiosk of Magellan’s Cross, which was also destroyed during the earthquake.
The two have been considered as cultural heritage sites.
The pre-restoration process was earmarked with 5 million while the actual restoration cost reached 14 million.
The funds were included on the 2015 annual budget of NHCP.
NHCP also shared 1.2 million for the rehabilitation of the Magellan’s Cross kiosk, out of over 3 million of the total expenses set aside to restore not only the kiosk but the ceiling paintings and the cross housed within as well.
President Aquino said the restoration of these heritage sites is part of the present administration’s strategy — Build Back Better — a nationwide effort in rehabilitating the areas severely affected by two strong calamities in 2013 that struck Central and Eastern Visayas.
Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, said the basilica and the shrine play an important part in the history, culture, and tradition of the country.
“It is not just on the religious aspect. Remember there is an issue of the separation of the Church and the State but to me, this is very clear cut that we need to preserve our cultural heritage,” she said.
NHCP chairperson Maria Serena Diokno said the turnover of the heritage sites after the long and rigorous restoration process also means the turnover of responsibility to the Augustinian community and the local parishioners to maintain the grandeur of the two structures.
“Restoration is an exercise in patience because of the meticulous nature of the work and the act of faith on those doing the restoration. We thank the local parishioners and the Order of the Augustinians for their trust and cooperation,” said Diokno.