Sibonga church restoration gets financial assistance

CEBU, Philippines —  The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has committed to finance the repair and restoration of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza Parish Church in the southern town of Sibonga, Cebu.

The church was severely damaged by super typhoon Odette in December last year. TIEZA head Mark Lapid, in a virtual meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, officials of Sibonga, and National Historical Commission the Philippines (NHCP), promised to shoulder the cost of the restoration.

 The church is a heritage site and considered as one of the tourist spots in Southern Cebu. Aside from the damaged roofing, the church’s murals on the ceiling were also destroyed by the typhoon.

Capitol consultant on cultural affairs Jojo Eleazar Bersales and Rev. Father Brian Brigoli, chairman of Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Culture Heritage of the Church (CACCHC), said the convent also needs repair.

 “Ang phase one is already done especially the funding but the phase 2 is where we can work as well as the rehabilitation of the ceiling painting,” Brigoli said.

 To know the cost of the repair, officials and personnel of TIEZA along with the Capitol and Sibonga already made a site inspection and damage assessment.

Sibonga Vice Mayor Mariano Laude thanked the officials of TIEZA for helping them repair and restore their church.

He said that the people of Sibonga had been hearing Mass at the gym since Odette hit Cebu last year.

 “Maraming salamat po na naibigay niyo sa amin yung full support sa simbahan namin kasi ang hirap sa amin wala pang simbahan yung mga tawo doon lang sa open gym sa may school na nagsisimba. Nuong nakaraang pista dun din kami nag mimisa,” Laude said.

The governor also thanked Lapid and TIEZA for the assistance. —   FPL (FREEMAN)