US-based Pinoys to help restore quake-damaged Bohol churches

Tags: Bohol
A group of US-based Filipinos and American volunteers have been helping in the rebuilding of three Bohol heritage churches damaged by last October's 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

In a news release, the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. said the Bohol Restoration Group Inc. (BRG) has been helping in the restoration of the:

  • Our Lady of the Immaculate Church in Baclayon, which was built in 1717
  • Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Dauis, built in 1697
  • Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Loay, built in 1795.

According to the embassy, the BRG volunteers have been working on the project since October, with members having visited Bohol to assess the damage.

They have also met with Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso and representatives of local government units, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Museum.

“The BRG’s volunteerism and desire to restore important heritage sites mean a lot not only to the Boholanos affected by the earthquake but also to Filipinos and non-Filipinos who have visited these churches,” said the embassy.

The group presently has more than 50 Filipino and American volunteers, some of whom are architects, technical and heritage restoration experts, and seismic engineers.

Some of the American volunteers were also involved in the restoration of the National Cathedral and the Washington Monument that were damaged by an earthquake in 2011.

"Volunteers came from various groups and firms such as Quinn Evans, Nixon Peabody, the National Cathedral, LeuterioThomas, the American Institute of Architects, Ecotektonica, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, McEnearney Associates, AmPhil Services and MRC3 Media," the embassy added.

Meanwhile, BRG board chair Mike Brown said they were seeking long-term partnerships with other groups in the Philippines and the US, including local government units and parishes. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News

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