NHCP vows to help rehabilitate Odette-damaged historic sites, heritage structures
MANILA, Philippines — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines promised to rehabilitate heritage structures that were destructed in the areas affected by Typhoon Odette.
“The NHCP, in collaboration with the Catholic Church, local government units, and other stakeholders expresses its commitment to rehabilitate the damaged historic sites and structures, many of them have been part of the life of the people for centuries,” NHCP chair Rene Escalante said.
He did not identify the heritage structures damaged by Odette but he said most of these have been declared National Historical Landmarks and Important Cultural Properties, which are protected by Republic Act 1006 more commonly known as the Heritage Law.
In a Facebook post, the National Quincentennial Committee in charge of clearing all government efforts in commemorating the quincentennials (500 years) of the Philippines said NHCP Wing of the Museo Sugbo or the Cebu Provincial Museum in Cebu City has been affected by Odette.
“The said structure is the home of the Philippine Quincentennial Museum,” the committee said.
Cebu City was among the areas affected by Odette after it made landfall over the Cebu province last week.
Following this, the National Quincentennial Committee said it is “one with the rest of the nation in the recovery efforts after this challenge.”
The NHCP also that condoles with those who lost their loved ones due to Odette. It said it supports the national and local government’s priority in saving lives and rendering assistance to families and communities in need.
“For the time being, we will give way to government agencies conducting relief, rescue operations, and addressing the basic needs of the people,” Escalante said.
The NHCP called on its 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 as it gears up for the rehabilitation efforts slated early next year.
Escalante said the NHCP commits to sending a team that will inspect and document the condition of cultural properties in January 2022.
This move would establish the severity of damage; draw up priorities for restoration; estimate the amount of human and financial resources needed.
On Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management reported that there are 24 damaged infrastructure. The estimated cost of damaged infrastructure stands at P225.3 million.
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