National Museum of the Philippines | PHOTO: Official website of the National Museum of the Philippines / nationalmuseum.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines — The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) on Tuesday said it is open to “share” the four donated 19th century pulpit panels with Cebu.
This is after the provincial government of Cebu appealed to the NMP to return the panels which are part of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, Cebu, but were donated to the museum by private collectors.
READ: Cebu seeks return of historic church pulpit panels from National Museum
“We extend our assurance to Governor Gwen Garcia, Mayor Jojie Derama, Archbishop Jose Palma, and the community of Boljoon that the NMP is eager to engage in constructive dialogue and exchange of technical assistance to facilitate sharing the four panels with the people of Cebu as soon as possible,” the NMP said in a statement.
According to the NMP, the donors of the panels procured these panels through legitimate means and are committed to ethical acquisition.
“Moreover, the donors’ decision to acquire these artifacts and donate to the Philippines reflects their dedication to preserving cultural heritage and promoting patriotism,” the NMP said.
While the NMP recognized the panels’ historical context and its significance to the people of Boljoon and Cebu, the NMP also argued that church artifacts have often been at risk of being stolen or disposed of improperly, hence, the need for discussions and collaborative efforts to deal with these challenges.
READ: Gov. Garcia wants Boljoon pulpit panels returned
With this, the NMP said that as the dialogue is conducted, the museum will continue to “pursue preventive conservation measures necessary to prepare them for public display in due course.”
“This demonstrates our steadfast dedication to fostering understanding, appreciation, and access to our rich cultural heritage for all Filipinos,” the NMP added.