Coming together for conservation

Expect more development in the preservation and protection of heritage resources in the province of Cebu as early this week Archbishop Jose Palma and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will soon pave the way to an agreement that will enable the provincial government to help preserve colonial era churches, convents and the works of art they contain.

The MOU reads in part: “Whereas, the Province of Cebu and the Archdiocese of Cebu share the same principles and aspirations in the protection and promotion of all heritage objects and properties… Now therefore, we, Msgr. Jose Palma, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu and Hon. Gwendolyn Garcia, Governor of Cebu, do hereby sign this Memorandum of Understanding that will pave the way for the forging of cooperation and collaboration in the joint declaration of all ecclesiastical heritage objects and properties in Cebu and in their protection and conservation.”

I am privileged to be part of this whole enterprise, which is an important plank in the 12-point agenda of Governor Garcia. Yesterday, in a meeting between the archbishop and governor, I assisted in the turnover of the draft Memorandum of Agreement expressing the intent of the MOU. The draft is subject to review by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.

Msgr. Carlito Pono, chairman of the commission, was instrumental in the delivery of the MOU to the Capitol and its immediate signing by the governor when she saw the signature of the archbishop already affixed on the document. I expect he will also be there for the eventual signing of the agreement very soon.

The agreement adopts the articles of the concordat between the Vatican and the Philippine government signed in August 2007. All told, if approved for signing, the agreement will be the first of its kind in the Philippines, and, in the words of Governor Garcia, “will serve as template for other provinces and local governments to follow.”

A joint commission to oversee the promotion, protection and conservation of the church heritage properties in the province will be formed as part of the provisions of the proposed agreement. This will thus bring together the membership of the Committee on Sites, Relics and Structures of the province’s Tourism and Heritage Council with that of the archdiocese’s Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.

The immediate result of the agreement will be the joint marking and registration of churches, convents and works of art that are within the jurisdiction of the Cebu province. A training of priests, architects and engineers on the Canons of the church as well as the laws of the land pertinent to heritage conservation will also be carried out jointly.

Before yesterday’s meeting, I was interviewed by SugboTV as to what fate awaits ecclesiastical heritage resources that are outside the jurisdiction of the province. Let me repeat the answer I gave: “It is also time for the chartered cities in Cebu to follow the lead of the province and establish a framework for collaborating with the Archdiocese of Cebu to help conserve these tangible and intangible resources.”

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The University of San Carlos Foundation Week 2011 will open at the Ayala Center this Sunday at 10 a.m. All USC alumni and the members of the Carolinian Community are invited to witness the various events, including the annual intramurals, which will run throughout the week in USC’s three college campuses and at Ayala Center.

A photo exhibit by Fr. Generoso Rebayla, SVD, vice president for finance, and an exhibition of prize-winning works by computer engineers, among others, will be the highlight at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu. See you all there!