By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday said it will support rehabilitation efforts for heritage sites damaged by the powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu province on Sept. 30.
The agency announced an inspection conducted together with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Shrine of the Archdiocese of San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City on Wednesday.
A team from the DOT’s infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), is currently in Cebu and has started inspecting damaged century-old churches in the province.
“Our President led the visit to the Archdiocesan Shrine here in the City of Bogo, and I understand that there are other municipalities whose churches have also been greatly affected,” Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco said in a statement.
“We have already deployed teams from TIEZA, our attached agency, to do a rapid assessment and inspection, and we are endorsing as well, to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the other relevant heritage agencies, so that together, we can ensure that the restoration and the rehabilitation of these symbols and living edifices of our faith and our culture can rise again,” she added.
Frasco also met with at least 900 tourism workers affected by the tremor.
Marcos on Wednesday convened a briefing among Cabinet officials and Cebu provincial government officials led by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro at the Bogo City Hall to coordinate government response measures.
He directed that efforts be carried out in phases—beginning with search and rescue, followed by relief operations, and rehabilitation of infrastructure, including the restoration of heritage sites.
“Cebu is the cradle of Christianity in Asia. Here, our eyes were opened to a deep faith that sustains our way of life until this day. And so, our churches have played a central role in our way of life,” said Frasco.
“[I]t’s very important for us that the government is able to provide help and assistance to determine the extent of the damage, the rehabilitation plans, and most of all, to ensure that these places of worship continue to be a source of hope that people can turn to, especially in these difficult and trying times,” she added.
In addition, Marcos led the inspection of SM Cares Village in Polambato, Bogo City, and the Cebu Provincial Hospital to assess infrastructure damage and deliver an immediate government response.
“We are very grateful to President Bongbong Marcos for being here and providing relief to our fellow Cebuanos in the form of immediate relief assistance to food and water, the restoration of basic utilities, and pati na rin po ‘yung ating assistance in the form of monetary assistance to the province as well as our local government units,” Frasco said.
DOT opens rest area in Medellin as Cebu donation drop-off
The government-constructed Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Medellin has also been opened 24/7 to accept donations for victims of the deadly earthquake.
The municipality of Medellin announced that the TRA had been repurposed as a drop-off point to accommodate donations for those affected by the tremor.
“I thank our fellow Cebuanos and fellow Filipinos who have come to the aid of the people here in Cebu,” Frasco said.
“Our Tourist Rest Areas here in Cebu, including the one in the Municipality of Medellin, continue to be open, and it is ready to receive and be a drop-off point for those who may wish to provide assistance to the Cebuanos affected by this tragedy.”
The TRA is a flagship project of the DOT under the Marcos Administration, in partnership with TIEZA.
The one-stop shop was initially designed to offer comfort, safety, and convenience to both local and international travelers, with the first-ever TRA built in Medellin.
Frasco said other relief goods and donations to Cebu may also be dropped off at other TRA locations in Moalboal, Carcar, and Carmen.
