The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said it would help in rehabilitating and restoring historic sites and structures that were damaged by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook several parts of Luzon on Wednesday morning.
In a statement, the NHCP said it would conduct rehabilitation efforts after relief operations by local government units.
“We fully support the national and local government’s priority in saving human life and rendering assistance to families and communities in need,” it sad.
“For the time being, we will give way to government agencies conducting relief operations, and addressing the basic needs of the people,” it added.
The NHCP will join the meeting of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) commissioners tomorrow to discuss their action plan for the restoration of the damaged properties.
The National Museum of the Philippines also assured that it would extend help to the quake-hit areas.
“We appeal for calm and solidarity in this time of emergency and rest assured that [we] will remain to be a reliable partner in rebuilding and preserving our cultural heritage,” it said.
Among the historical sites damaged by the quake were the Vigan Calle Crisologo houses, the Bantay and Laoag bell towers, the Sarrat Church and the Vigan Cathedral. John Ezekiel J. Hirro