Church experts to inspect Batangas basilica

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera said further structural study is needed for the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, according to a news report posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.

“I ordered Father Dimaapi, the parish priest, not to use the Basilica for I do not want people to get hurt,” Garcera was quoted as saying.

The basilica was damaged by the twin quakes that hit Batangas province earlier this month.

There were inspections conducted on the church but Bishop Garcera decided that more checks are needed.

Garcera invited structural experts and engineers recommended by the CBCP’s Commission on Cultural Heritage to further examine the damage sustained by one of the oldest churches in the province.

“From there, we will figure out a proper rehabilitation process approved by the standards of the Church Renovation and Construction,” he said.

He will also talk to other priests of church that were affected by the quake, including the Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours in Taal town. — BAP, GMA News