RESTORATION PROJECT Architect Glenn Enrique Balangkig explains the continuing restoration of the Spanish-era belfry in Dumaguete Metropolis, Negros Oriental throughout a stakeholders’ assembly on Tuesday (Oct. 29, 2024). The Nationwide Museum of the Philippines has allotted P9 million for the restoration and web site improvement of the watch-tower/belfry, an Essential Cultural Property. (PNA picture by Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The restoration and web site enchancment undertaking of the enduring centuries-old watchtower-belfry in Dumaguete Metropolis, Negros Oriental is shifting forward as scheduled.
Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, head of the Diocese of Dumaguete’s Committee on Church Cultural Heritage, stated in an interview that the undertaking, which began in September, is about 11 p.c full and is scheduled for completion in about six months.
He stated the Nationwide Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has allotted P9 million for the undertaking, which incorporates not simply the structural restoration but additionally the event of the positioning on which the Spanish-era bell tower is located.
The unique watch-tower of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish was constructed within the early 1800s to protect the fortified church towards marauders.
Its high two tiers have been added in 1867 to transform it to the Campanario or belfry of the church.
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Heruela stated based mostly on historic information, the Spanish-old heritage construction is taken into account the oldest bell towers in Negros Island.
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Due to its “distinctive, cultural, inventive, and historic significance to the nation,” the NMP declared it an Essential Cultural Property.
Throughout its current first stakeholders’ assembly right here, members of the NMP-Dumaguete crew stated work remains to be being finished on the surface of the belfry, comparable to establishing scaffolding, placing again in place limestone slabs, clearing vegetation progress, and scrubbing black deposits inflicting discoloration of the construction’s floor.
Architect Glenn Enrique Balangkig stated the supplies for use within the restoration are both the identical as the unique or one thing nearer to the unique.
Structural restoration will start quickly after the general public bathrooms and the grotto which might be connected to the belfry will probably be eliminated, Heruela stated.
Some modifications need to be thought-about concerning close by constructions earlier than the positioning improvement as it seems that town authorities owns the property close by the place a water tank is constructed, he added.
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In the meantime, on the sustainability of the heritage construction, Heruela stated the diocese and town authorities will probably be working collectively for the upkeep of the belfry as soon as the restoration undertaking is completed and turned over by the NMP.
