The path to restoring northern Cebu's earthquake-damaged heritage churches is taking shape, with a multi-million peso aid package approved and technical planning underway for a rehabilitation start in 2026. This follows the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30, 2025, which left several centuries-old structures, including the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, with significant damage.
Funding and Technical Support for Restoration
In a significant move to kickstart repairs, the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has approved a resolution urging Governor Pamela Baricuatro to allocate P18 million for nine affected heritage churches. The measure, authored by PB Member Paz Rozgoni, proposes P2 million in assistance for each church to support reconstruction costs that local parishes cannot manage independently.
Meanwhile, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is actively involved but has clarified the scope of its role. NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. stated that the commission's primary function is to provide technical guidance, not funding. "We do not have funds, so we look for support — like from politicians or a congressman — but we share the technical expertise, the proper way to ensure the building will not be flagged," Jose explained during assessments in Cebu.
Assessment and Phased Recovery Efforts
NHCP teams have been working closely with Cebu Archbishop Most Rev. Alberto 'Abet' Uy to evaluate the structural integrity of each damaged church. Archbishop Uy personally inspected the heavily damaged Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Daanbantayan on October 1, 2025, meeting with parish leaders and community members.
Jose emphasized that the damage varies greatly from one church to another. "The point is to save what can still be saved. We also check the structure’s stability to see whether it can still endure or not," he said. While full-scale rehabilitation is projected for 2026, immediate efforts are focused on securing heritage materials. NHCP has already deployed teams to help parishes recover and preserve important items like woodwork and religious images from the damaged sites.
List of Churches Slated for Aid
The Provincial Board resolution identifies nine churches for the proposed P18 million fund, categorized as tourist destinations and historic sites:
Tourist-Destination Churches:
- Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church, Bantayan
- Capelinha de Fatima Replica, San Remigio
- St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church, Kawit, Medellin
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church, Malabuyoc
- Virgen de los Remedios Parish Church, Odlot, Bogo City
Historic Churches:
- Santa Rosa de Lima Church, Daanbantayan
- San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, San Remigio
- San Vicente Ferrer Church, Bogo City
- San Isidro Labrador Parish, Tabogon
Long Road Ahead with Documentation and Training
Chairman Jose noted that the restoration process will be lengthy, due in part to necessary documentation and capacity-building. The NHCP is conducting training for parish workers on how to properly handle and preserve cultural items. The total cost of the damage across all affected churches has yet to be fully determined, as each structure requires individual assessment.
In a related development, Jose also inspected the Cebu Provincial Capitol building on December 5, 2025, following a ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum. He was welcomed by Provincial Administrator Joseph Felix Mari 'Ace' Durano and Assistant Administrator Aldwin Empaces. After his tour, he described the Capitol as "beautiful, well-preserved, clean and orderly," indicating it weathered the seismic event without major issues.
The coming year will be critical for these heritage structures, as coordinated efforts between the Archdiocese, local government, and national agencies aim to carefully restore them for future generations.
