Alternative churches in Bohol to be finished before year end

MANILA, Philippines - A Church official on Wednesday bared that 15 "alternative churches" being built in Bohol will be finished before the end of the year.

Tagbiliran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said  these places of worship will accommodate 800 to 1,000 parishioners.

"Para meron silang lugar para sa lithurgy, na mas decent naman sa Mass ng mga tao. Meron na kaming mga benefactors to help. Itong alternative churches we will finish that within a year. Practical 'yan 15 to 16 churches na we would like to finish within a year or earlier," the bishop told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Bishop Medroso said that around 30 churches in Bohol, including 10 heritage churches, were destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the province October last year.

The bishop, however, said that it would take a while for the heritage churches to be reconstructed despite funds allocated by the national government.

The prelate said people in the area are still clearing the debris of the damaged heritage churches.