The Cebu Provincial Government has formalized an agreement with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to restore the damaged Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church and its convent in Sibonga southern Cebu.
Gov. Gwen Garcia signed the agreement with TIEZA General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid during a ceremony at the Capitol Gallery on January 17. Witnesses included Sibonga Mayor Mariano Laude, first district Board Member Raul Bacaltos, Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato C. Beltran Jr., and Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.
“Heritage is a part of us, and it’s an intrinsic ingredient in our culture, in the same way that out faith is the basic foundation of our culture and heritage. And a people that does not recognize nor value our heritage and our culture are people without a soul,” Gov. Gwen said during the program.
Under the agreement, the Capitol will oversee the implementation of the restoration project subject to relevant laws and regulations; while TIEZA will fund the civil works, allocating P110 million for the project.
The church and its convent, declared a Level II Historical Site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), were heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021, prompting the need for significant restoration.
The Church, renowned for its beautiful ceiling painting, suffered substantial damage with the roof and the ceiling painting itself, forcing the people to hold masses in a nearby covered court.
“This is a very delicate project. It’s a jewel. Hindi po ito basta kalsada lang na pwede nating gawin. Hindi siya fencing na pwede nating gawin kung ano-ano lang. Every single part of this project is very meticulous, very important because it is a significant project for the heritage and culture of Cebu,” GM Lapid said.
The convent and the church, made of stone and corals, were built in the 1930s and 1860s respectively. The church, of Neo-Gothic architecture, is renowned for its stunning religious-themed painting that stretches on the ceiling from the choir’s loft to the altar, done in 1924 by the Cebuano Raymundo Francia, the famous church ceiling artist of the Visayas.
The restoration will begin with essential maintenance efforts, including the removal of biological growths, masonry cleaning, and lime washing to consolidate the church’s structure. These initial steps are crucial to stabilize the building and prevent further deterioration, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
In November 2022, GM Lapid personally visited the Church accompanied by Gov. Gwen to assess the extent of the damage. Following the assessment, TIEZA committed to funding the restoration, ensuring that the project would adhere to the preservation standards set by the NHCP.
Among others, TIEZA’s mandate, as the infrastructure arm of Department of Tourism, is to develop, manage and supervise tourism infrastructure projects in the country. GM Lapid said the agency is funding the restoration of the Church in view of its inestimable contributions to Cebu’s southern heritage trail and religious tourism.
“Let us bring back the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church to its former glory,” Gov. Gwen said, whose second name is also “Pilar”. | JMT