The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) approved en masse a resolution requesting the National Museum of the Philippines to return the series of early 19th century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order to the Patrocinio de Maria Santissima Parish Church in the southern town of Boljoon (2nd district, Cebu).
Authored by PB Member Andrei Duterte, who chairs the committee on tourism, and co-authored by PB Member Raymond Calderon, who represents the second district in the PB, the resolution was approved during the regular session on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
The PB’s action was made after reports came to the attention of the Provincial Government that some 19th century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order owned by the Patrocinio de Maria Santissima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu were donated by private collectors to the National Museum.
These artifacts were part of the original design of the pulpit of Boljoon church, and it is unknown as to why and how these panels were in the custody and ownership of private collectors, the resolution said. The Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon has been declared a national cultural treasure by the National Museum, as well as a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines because of its historical significance and incredible well-preserved structure.
“It is the belief of the Province of Cebu that artifacts and all other items that have historical and cultural significance belong to the people and place where they originated from. The Province of Cebu is one with the people of Boljoon town in their hope that the panels be returned to them,” the approved resolution added. | via JTG of the Office of Vice Governor Hilario Davide III/Photos by Donald Moga