RESTORATION PROJECT Architect Glenn Enrique Balangkig explains the continued 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 website improvement of the watch-tower/belfry, an Vital Cultural Property. (PNA photograph by Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The restoration and website enchancment undertaking of the long-lasting centuries-old watchtower-belfry in Dumaguete Metropolis, Negros Oriental is transferring forward as scheduled.
Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, head of the Diocese of Dumaguete’s Committee on Church Cultural Heritage, mentioned 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 mentioned the Nationwide Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has allotted P9 million for the undertaking, which incorporates not simply the structural restoration but in addition 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 in opposition to 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 mentioned based mostly on historic data, 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, creative, and historic significance to the nation,” the NMP declared it an Vital Cultural Property.
Throughout its current first stakeholders’ assembly right here, members of the NMP-Dumaguete crew mentioned work continues to be being performed on the skin of the belfry, corresponding to establishing scaffolding, placing again in place limestone slabs, clearing vegetation development, and scrubbing black deposits inflicting discoloration of the construction’s floor.
Architect Glenn Enrique Balangkig mentioned 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 can be hooked up to the belfry shall be eliminated, Heruela mentioned.
Some adjustments must be thought of relating to close by buildings 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 mentioned the diocese and town authorities shall be working collectively for the upkeep of the belfry as soon as the restoration undertaking is completed and turned over by the NMP.
