Retrofitting of Paoay church sought

Paoay, Ilocos Norte An Ilocos Norte provincial legislator has sought the retrofitting of the historic Saint Augustine Church, locally known as the Paoay church, to boost the tourism infrastructure in the countrys far northwestern province.

Provincial Board Member Portia Pamela Salenda said she was also pursuing the reconstruction of the churchs convent ruins to preserve its architectural designs.

The immediate restoration and improvement of the convent ruins, together with the world-famous St. Augustine Church of Paoay, will enhance tourism and heritage sites of the province, she said.

Salenda proposed in a resolution filed with the provincial board the formalization of her appeal for the restoration of the Paoay church.

Meanwhile, an advocate of heritage preservation lauded Salendas move, saying it is very timely as the existence of the outside structures of the Paoay church has been threatened by the growing trees.

Bernard Joseph Guerrero, a Philippine-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage sites researcher, said the church can be easily destroyed by natural calamities if the government fails to take immediate action to maintain its structure.

He was alarmed over the present condition of the church.

As much as Paoay church is the best example of earthquake baroque architecture in the Philippines, I dont think thats a guarantee that it will withstand a magnitude as strong as the Bohol earthquake. If you look at the church right now. many plants are growing from the church building (which) compromises heavily (its) structural integrity, he said.

If some people dont want the Paoay church to be retrofitted because they feel it will become artificial, as for me I feel its just right, he added.

He noted the construction of the existing Paoay Church started in 1694 and completed in 1710 with distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building.

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Retrofitting of Paoay church sought