Allocate funds for rehab of heritage sites damaged by Abra quake, says Imee Marcos

Debris are seen from a partially ruined cathedral in Vigan city, Ilocos Sur province north of Manila on July 27, 2022, after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the northern Philippines. (Photo by Ricardo Raguini / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A specific allocation is needed to fund the rehabilitation of heritage sites damaged by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Abra, Senator Imee Marcos said on Thursday.

During a situation briefing presided by his brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at Bangued, Abra, Marcos said she inspected several heritage sites in Ilocos Region that now need repair.

According to the senator, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should not repair and restore damaged heritage sites since it lacks the expertise, urging the House Speaker to provide funding for the restoration and rehabilitation.

“Regarding inspection and structural integrity and soundness, since Region 1 is present here, I just came from Ilocos Sur, Manong Chavit (Singson) is here, the destruction among heritage churches, for example, is overwhelming, we inspected Bantay (Bell Tower), the Vigan Cathedral as well as Caoayan Church, they are or should be condemned shortly,” Senator Marcos said.

“However it is known to us that the Public Works, for example, is hardly competent to assess the integrity of these centuries-old churches. May I encourage, the Speaker being here, that a budget be put aside for proper structural integrity that is non-destructive,” she added.

The senator said that restoration is too technical. For instance, the Paoay Church in their hometown of Ilocos Norte needed specialized works to ensure its structural integrity, so she filed a bill for its maintenance and restoration.

But aside from the churches, Marcos also noted that many infrastructures in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Cagayan Valley are more than 50 years already.

“I have done this, at least I’ve got a bill for it, for Paoay Church before, medyo mahirap-hirap siya at (it is quite difficult and) highly technical — may rebound hammer test, ultrasonic pulse velocity, electromagnetic cover meter test, Windsor probe, and on and on, you have to contract specialists for this but clearly for heritage churches this is necessary,” Marcos said.

“Secondly I also like to pitch here that much of the infrastructure really in Region 1, CAR, and Region 2 is over 50 years old which by international standards is ancient and should be replaced.

Aside from the damage to infrastructure and livelihood, experts expect massive damage to heritage sites — including the Bantay Bell Tower, which had parts crumble after the earthquake.

In Vigan, debris littered the famous Calle Crisologo street after the earthquake shook the preserved Spanish-era-style houses and establishments.

READ: Abra earthquake exacts heavy toll on Ilocos heritage sites

READ: Heritage structures, churches damaged by 7.3 quake

Romualdez, for his part, assured that the House would support the proposals of Senator Marcos, including the proposal to create a new administration or authority that would enhance the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) instead of creating a new department.

“Mr. President, on the part of the House, we shall support the good senator’s proposal here, owing to the fact that we’ve always been looking for best practices and FEMA or even the AFAD (Disaster And Emergency Management) in Turkey are great models for best practices for these protocols,” Romualdez, cousin of the Marcoses, said.

“We shall also join the good Senator from Ilocos Norte on her call to support the budgetary requirements for the restoration of the heritage cultural sites as well of course as the various infrastructures on the situation report,” he added.

READ: Bongbong Marcos says new gov’t body, not department, is enough for disasters

After Wednesday’s earthquake, extensive damage has been reported in different areas of the Cordillera region and nearby regions. The NDRRMC said the earthquake has reportedly killed five people so far.

READ: Earthquake damages structures, bridges in Abra town — initial reports

READ: 5 now dead in Abra earthquake, says NDRRMC

/MUF/abc