A Catholic priest said the Philippine Church continues to value churches and sites in the country that hold significant historical importance.
Father Milan Ted Torralba, executive secretary of the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the bishops’ conference, said efforts of the Church to declare the importance of old buildings are aimed at encouraging people to preserve and appreciate them.
“My personal motivation behind these declarations (as national cultural treasure or important cultural property) for buildings built during the Spanish colonial period is to remind every Filipino that the Church takes the lead in valuing and not forgetting the heritage that continues to benefit the people and the clergy,” said the priest in an interview with Radio Veritas 846.
He made the statement following the declaration of the National Museum of the Philippines of several churches in Bohol as significant treasures in the country.
Recently, the NMP publicly announced the designation of the San Vicente Ferrer Parish in Calape, Bohol, as a “National Cultural Treasure.”
A few days later, the Nuestra Senora del Carmen Parish in Balilihan, Bohol, also received recognition from the NMP as an “Important Cultural Property.”
“In addition to the old churches, we also recognize and value old bridges and watchtowers,” said Father Torralba, who is also the chairperson of the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and a member of the NMP Panel of Experts.
According to the records of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, there are 128 churches in the country recognized as National Cultural Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, and National Historical Landmarks, with 21 of them located in Bohol.
