NHCP warns vs. looters at Cebu earthquake-hit cultural sites

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has warned local government units affected by the massive earthquake in Cebu to be on alert for looters at historical and cultural sites.

Right after the earthquake struck, the NHCP advised local officials to secure the sites.

“First of all, iko-cordon off ang area. Walang dapat pumasok kasi may malaking chance na may bumagsak. Then pag medyo safe na, kukunin ng mga tao, may nagbabantay, ilang mga ibang gamit na mga carvings na i-secure na nila kasi siyempre pwedeng pulutin ng mga tao 'yon,” NHCP Chair Regalado Jose, Jr told reporters in an interview at the House of Representatives.

(First of all, cordon off the area. Nobody must enter because there's a large chance that something could fall. Then when it's safer, some items such as carvings should be secured because these might be taken by looters.)

Jose said there had been several instances in the past when historical and cultural items were looted after a tragedy.

“Maraming beses na nangyari. So dapat under the guidance of the local authorities and the parish priest, kung sino may hawak na cultural property, siyang magbibigay ng mga tao na magbabantay o kukuha ng mga cultural property to all,” he said.

(This has happened a lot. So under the guidance of the local authorities and the parish priest, or whoever is in charge of the cultural property, should deploy people to guard or secure the cultural properties.)

Jose also said photos and videos should be taken of damaged structures so that the authorities will be guided on how these will be restored.

“As much as possible, maraming documentation sa pamamagitan ng video or picture taking, yung damage po ng simbahan. Para pag nire-restore na, sinubukan natin na i-restore, mayroon tayong documentation na ibigay,” he said.

(As much as possible, do a lot of documentation on the damage to the churches by taking videos or pictures. So that when it's time to restore them, when we try to restore them, we have documentation to give as a guide.)

When asked how long the repairs could take, Jose replied, “Years po. Kasi unang-unang kailangan magkaroon ng damage assessment report tapos gagawa ng detailed engineering study.“

(Years. Because first of all there needs to be damage assessment and then a detailed engineering study.)

The NHCP’s proposed budget was scheduled for plenary deliberations on Wednesday.

When asked if the NHCP will request for additional funding, Jose replied, “Malaking tanong. Ayokong magsabi ng mga ano. Kasi puwede naman mga local governments ang mag-fund din ng kanilang mga projects. May mga congressional funds natin.”

(That's a big question. I don't want to say either way. Because it's possible the local governments will fund the projects. There are also congressional funds.)

The NHCP will be sending a team to Cebu this weekend as part of an interagency group that will assess the damage caused by the earthquake to historical and cultural sites in the province. — BM, GMA Integrated News