Devotees and bystanders watch President Benigno Aquino III, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Augustinian priests on the wide screen installed outside the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño during the turnover rites. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) turned over to the Augustinian priests yesterday Cebu’s top two historical sites which were damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.
Restoration of the Basilica del Sto. Niño’s bell tower and the Magellan’s Cross kiosks was completed after six months of construction work.
President Benigno Aquino III attended the event.
“These two structures are the most popular sites in Cebu. These are treasures that reflect the rich history of your place. (Hence), the government has the responsibility to take care of these heritage zones,” he said in a message he delivered during the turnover ceremony held in front of the centuries-old basilica.
The basilica is the home of the wooden image of the Sto. Niño which was given as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu’s Queen Juana in 1521.
The image of the Child Jesus, which is venerated inside the church, is the country’s oldest icon.
Beside the basilica is a kiosk that houses the cross planted by Magellan as a symbol of the Christianization of the Philippines.
The government spent P14 million for the restoration of the bell tower and P3 million for the Magellan’s Cross kiosks.
Last year, NHCP also completed the restoration of two other historical sites in Cebu: the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City and Fort San Pedro in Cebu City.
President Aquino dropped by Fort San Pedro before he proceeded to the blessing of the newly refurbished Magellan’s Cross kiosks and the turnover of the basilica’s bell tower.
Also present during yesterday’s turnover ceremony were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and several Augustinian priests.
Fr. Harold Rentoria, chairman of the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Augustinian fathers, said all major works to restore the basilica’s bell tower were completed although they requested NHCP to also rehabilitate some portions of the convent, including a painting at the church’s entrance.
“This is a joyful day for all of us. After the earthquake, we have restored our bell tower, and we will once again hear the bells of the basilica,” he said in an interview.
Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the basilica, said it took them two years to complete the restoration of the bell tower since NHCP had to undergo thorough engineering and architectural researches.