ILOILO — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will conduct a technical inspection of the 159-year-old San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Cabatuan today, December 17, following reports of falling debris from the church’s façade and belfry that raised safety concerns for parishioners and the public.
The inspection comes after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) formally sought NHCP assistance, citing the need for expert intervention after fragments reportedly detached from the historic structure.
Jose Nereo Lujan, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Government’s Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) and a historian, confirmed that the NHCP technical team will be led by Architect Reynaldo Lita, Chief Restoration Architect of the NHCP Historic Preservation Division, together with Architect Alque Josef Chavez and Rudy Asistin.
The matter reached the NCCA after Lujan posted photos and details of the church’s condition on social media, seeking guidance on how best to address the situation affecting the centuries-old structure.
In a letter dated December 9 and addressed to NHCP Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., NCCA Deputy Executive Director Bernan Joseph Corpuz explained the referral to the NHCP.
“The subject cultural property is neither the work of a National Artist nor has it been previously declared as a National Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural Property. Furthermore, since it is a Spanish-colonial period church, the property is over 50 years old, we deemed it necessary to refer the matter to your office, considering your expertise and jurisdiction over such matters. We shall appreciate your direct correspondence to Mr. Lujan over this matter moving forward,” Corpuz said.
While awaiting the official inspection, the Cabatuan local government, under Mayor Elizalde Pueyo, installed protective netting along the church façade as a precautionary measure to safeguard churchgoers and passersby.
Mayor Pueyo said the latest spalling incident occurred in late November, prompting immediate action by the local government, especially with the expected increase in church attendance during the Misa de Gallo season.
Spalling on the façade was first noted on November 24, which initially led to the temporary closure of the road in front of the church. By November 28, even larger fragments were reported to have fallen from the structure.
Built in 1866 and dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino, the Cabatuan church is believed to have sustained damage possibly triggered by a series of recent earthquakes, which authorities suspect may have loosened sections of its masonry. Widening cracks on the right belfry tower are also being linked to seismic activity./PN
