Bacong: The St. Augustine of Hippo Parish Church in Bacong, Negros Oriental, is in urgent need of financial assistance to facilitate its restoration, following the discovery of significant structural deterioration.
According to Philippines News Agency, Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, head of the Committee on Church Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Dumaguete, has highlighted the efforts underway to secure necessary funds for the church's restoration. The municipal government of Bacong is also assisting in this endeavor. "We need a huge amount of money to restore the church's deteriorating sections, and the priority now is the roof, trusses, and ceilings that need urgent repair," Heruela stated.
The St. Augustine of Hippo Church stands as the sole National Cultural Treasure on Negros Island, a designation bestowed by the National Museum of the Philippines. Beyond its historical importance, the church houses a centuries-old pipe organ, considered rare, which has undergone restoration in recent years.
To aid the fundraising efforts, a concert was held on Tuesday evening within the church premises. The event featured world-renowned Spanish organist Andres Cea Galan, who performed classical and modern piano pieces on the pipe organ. He was accompanied by soprano singer Katrina Saga, violinist Dylan Abejero, and Japanese organists Mika Noda and Mineko Koijima. Proceeds from this concert are earmarked for repairing the church's roof system.
The urgency for restoration became pronounced a few months ago when a section of the ceiling collapsed, leading to a temporary cessation of masses. Subsequent inspections revealed water leakage from the roof had compromised the trusses and ceiling. To prevent further accidents, sections of the ceiling were removed, and protective netting was installed over the damaged areas.
Heruela has reached out to the National Museum of the Philippines seeking technical assistance and expressed hope that the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) might provide funding to aid in the restoration of this heritage church.
