Cracks on Magellan monument no more

CEBU, Philippines - The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has turned over to the Lapu-Lapu City government the newly restored Magellan Monument inside the Liberty Shrine in Barangay Mactan after the landmark was found to have suffered cracks caused by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in October 2013.

It took four months for NHCP to rehabilitate the structure inside the shrine in Barangay Mactan, more commonly called “Mactan Shrine."

According to NHCP Chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, the restoration of Magellan Monument is the first restoration project successfully completed after the powerful quake.

“We are very happy for the turnover ceremony. This is the first completed restoration project of Cebu and Bohol structures that were destroyed by the earthquake of October 2013.  So, Lapu-Lapu City is the first in our list," Diokno said.

"We will be going to Fort San Pedro, then sunod-sunod na po starting January of next year,” she added.

A budget of P2 million has been earmarked for the restoration project, Diokno said. The budget was inclusive of few beautification tasks in the Liberty Shrine, including the renovation of the marker beside the Magellan Monument which will begin next month.

Diokno added they are hoping to restore of the belfry of Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu City by next year.

“We are trying our best because we want to meet the Sinulog Festival and International Eucharistic Congress. So talagang ni-ru-rush natin yun, hopefully by January,” she said.

Meanwhile, Radaza said  she is thankful for  NHCP’s efforts in restoring the monument that symbolizes the pride of her constituents.

“This Lapu-Lapu Shrine was handed by the many generations before us. The restoration of this historic shrine reflects the resilience of the Filipino and the Oponganons in particular. This is our treasure, this is our pride,” she said.

Meanwhile, when asked about the proposed transfer of Datu Lapu-Lapu’s statue in Luneta Park to the city, Diokno said there’s no progress or go signal yet from their office. (FREEMAN)