LAOAG CITY— Representatives from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will assess the current state of heritage structures in this city.
Provincial Tourism Officer Ianree Raquel said the personnel from NHCP will arrive Tuesday. The Ilocos Norte government through its Provincial Tourism Office is seeking for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage sites here.
In Ilocos Norte, a number of Spanish colonial churches and ruins are awaiting restoration or else face possible degradation if left unattended.
To facilitate the rehabilitation efforts from the government and other sectors, Raquel said there is a need to declare these Spanish colonial churches as important cultural property.
Among those identified churches and ruins are located in Badoc, Batac, Piddig, Vintar, Bangui, Solsona and Burgos.
To date, three state-run cultural agencies such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Museum and NHCP are leading the rehabilitation efforts of the many heritage structures damaged by previous earthquakes across the country.
The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 mandates the government to prioritize the restoration efforts once these are declared as National Cultural Treasures, National Historical Landmarks, and Important Cultural Properties.