The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has allocated P20 million to rescue and rehabilitate Sta. Barbara church and convent, one of the important historical landmarks in Iloilo.
The rehabilitation was aimed at preserving the place as one of the country's national landmarks after playing an important role during the 1898 Philippine Revolution.
NHCP chairman Maria Serena Diokno disclosed that the Department of Budget and Management has allotted P20 milion for the Phase 1 of the rehabilitation that will commence next year. She added that the actual budget allotted for the initiative in 2013 was P50 million.
Diokno, who was here last week to personally inspect the site said that the other P 30 million for the Phase II project, which is for the rehabilitation of the convent, will be included in the 2014 budget.
Diokno added that she looked forward to a fund augmentation from Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon through the help of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
The NHCP chairman said if the senator through the help of Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. could provide the additional budget, she hopes for the early restoration of the project before 2015 Independence Day celebration in Sta. Barbara. President Benigno Aquino III was scheduled to visit and attend the celebration that will be held for the first time outside of Luzon.
Meanwhile, Defensor governor said that he will try his best to convince the senator to allocate additional budget for the said project.
Aside from Sta. Barbara, Diokno also inspected several sites in Iloilo particularly the old capitol building which is currently under restoration and Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) which is being eyed to be converted into a regional museum. The lady chairman appreciated the effort of the provincial government for preserving the historic sites in the province.
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