For now, NHCP will give way to the agencies conducting relief, rescue efforts, and addressing the basic needs of the people.
NOT only did Typhoon Odette destroy homes and damage tourist sites, but the Level 5 typhoon also affected many heritage sites and cultural establishments in eastern Philippines.
A Facebook page, El Reportero, has been listing down cultural spaces that have been affected by the recent typhoon as reported by locals in the area.
As of writing, the list includes the following:
Cebu Province
-Sibonga Church and convent (roof)
-Cebu Archdiocesan Museum (roof, wall, collection)
-Museo Sugbo (minor roof damage)
-Heritage houses in Carcar
Bohol
-Tubigon Church (dome)
-Loboc Church Complex (flooded)
-Baclayon Church and Convent (roof)
-Immaculate Conception School in Baclayon (roof)
-Dimiao Church (roof)
-Cortes Church (roof)
-Calape Church (doors)
-Maribojoc Church (roof, to be verified)
-Heritage houses in Loboc (flooded)
-Clarin House in Loay (roof and portion of second-floor wall)
Southern Leyte
-Maasin Church (roof)
-Malitbog Church (dome, belfry)
-A heritage house in Malitbog (ruins)
-Sto. Niño de Amparo Chapel in Macrohon (ruins)
Lanao del Sur
-Bubong mosque (flooded)
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has responded to express its commitment to rehabilitate the damaged historic sites and structures.
“We enjoin our local partners to safeguard the artifacts, retrieve important parts of the structure necessary for the restoration, and provide NHCP with the necessary documentation of the destroyed structures and the retrieved parts,” it said.
For now, NHCP condoles with the loss of life brought by Odette and will give way to the government agencies conducting relief, rescue efforts, and addressing the basic needs of the people.
Come January 2022, the NHCP will inspect and document the condition of the cultural properties before drawing up a report for the Office of the President requesting a budget for restoration.
Those in the affected areas concerned about the state of the historical sites and their damages can send photos and other information to NHCP’s social media sites.
Tags: #culture, #heriatgesites, #odetteph, #culturalestablishments