NHCP turns over marker, chapel to archdiocese
Restoration of churches part of rehab program after 2013 quake
THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) yesterday unveiled the marker of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and turned over the Capilla Mortuario in Carreta Catholic Cemetery to the Archdiocese of Cebu.
NHCP chair Maria Selena Diokno said the ceremony was part of the restoration and maintenance of all churches destroyed by the 2013 earthquake promised by the commission.
“We’re trusting the diocese to take care of this national marker and make sure that it is not defiled... that it remains as a permanent reminder to all of us of the historical importance of the cathedral,” she said.
The cemetery chapel in Carreta is the 12th church structure the commission has restored and turned over in Cebu.
Aside from this, NHCP also restored last Wednesday the ceiling paintings of the churches in the towns of Sibonga and Dalaguete.
As for the churches in Boljoon, Bantayan Island and Malabuyoc, Diokno said the renovation and necessary construction will soon commence.
The commission will also turn over next month to Carcar City their newly restored church structure.
Historical value
To keep the historical value and beauty of the landmarks, NHCP will be providing regular funding for maintenance purposes.
While the funding would help, Archbishop Jose Palma, for his part, pointed out that creating public awareness is paramount.
“This should be treasured by the people and preserved for everyone’s sake, including the future generation. This is the government’s way of acknowledging that there are institutions or structures that really made an impact in the history of the nation,” he said in an interview.
He explained that the marker would enlighten the people of the historical separation of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Naga City in Camarines Sur and Vigan in Ilocos Sur from Manila in 1595.
The whole of the Vi- sayas-Mindanao Region, all the way to the Mariana Islands of Guam, then became part of the new diocese of Cebu, Palma said.
“Considering its long duration, we can imagine what important events happened here. Even if from our own end, we only think of how we welcome delegates for the International Eucharistic Congress. Many historical events that happened in Cebu that also affected the history of our country,” Palma said.