Church: Proponents submit new design

CEBU, Philippines — The head of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church said the project managers for redeveloping the decades-old Patria de Cebu have already submitted before the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) the new development plan that the latter has earlier recommended.

Father Brian Brigoli, who is the current chairperson of the archdiocesan commission, told The FREEMAN Monday that the contractors or architects have already relayed the revised version or the new development plan for Patria's debated reconstruction project.

The old design was scrapped after the NHCP intervened when the project drew flak and criticisms from heritage advocates. The NHCP then advised the project managers for them to formulate a new development plan by following the agency's recommendations and conditions.

One of the primary recommendations stipulated was to keep the Patria's facade which lies across the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cebu City.

Brigoli said the project managers are still waiting for the feedback from the NHCP or its official response on what’s next.

Brigoli answered media queries about the project at the sidelines of the four-day biennial National Convention of Church Cultural Heritage Practitioners at a hotel in Cebu City.

He said that Patria cannot be classified as a church heritage but belongs to other kind of properties of the church, and so this matter will not be discussed during the series of talks.

The Cebu archdiocese is hosting for the first time the national convention that is already on its 11th run. Around 150 to 200 participants are joining the gathering here in Cebu.

The convention is held every two years, and organized by the Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines in cooperation with the host archdiocese.

He said the event is a gathering of all chairmen of church commissions for the cultural heritage including all the members, the partner institutions, and contractors, among others.

He said there will be sharing of best practices, presentation of reports and case studies that would help improve the services of the church with regards to conservation management.

Among the highlights of the event is the visit of the national delegates to the five parishes in the southeastern part of Cebu like in Carcar City, Sibonga and Argao wherein the archdiocese will showcase the joint conservation projects including the restoration of pipe organs and the ceiling paintings. (FREEMAN)