Turn-over Ceremony of the Completely Restored Holy Trinity Church in Loay, Bohol and the Inauguration of Loay Conservation Laboratory and Museum of Boholano History and Heritage

LOAY, BOHOL- The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will officially turn-over the completely restored Loay Church, Escuela de los Niños y Niñas Buildings and Casa Tribunal to the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Holy Trinity Parish on 15 October 2017.

The Holy Trinity Parish Church was declared as a National Historical Landmark in 2003. It was among the structures heavily damaged by the October 15, 2013 earthquake.

The conservation project included the restoration the coral stone walls, stabilization of the rubble core, dismantling, recovering and stacking of detached/loose material, provision of structural supports/clamping of unreinforced masonry walls, restoration and replacement of damaged or missing face work, mouldings and ornaments, and restoration of the portico. The NHCP also rehabilitated the church roof, including the roof framing, roof sheet and accessories. Further, the Commission restored the 1927 ceiling paintings of Raymundo Francia.

At the same ceremony the NHCP will inaugurate the Loay Conservation Laboratory and partially open the Museum of Boholano History and Heritage in the restored Escuela de los Niños y Niñas Buildings and Casa Tribunal. The Loay Conservation Laboratory aims to train locals to restore and maintain immovable and movable cultural properties. The Museum of Boholano History and Heritage will showcase the rich history, heritage and culture of the Province of Bohol.

The restoration of the Loay Church, Escuela de los Niños y Niñas Buildings and Casa Tribunal was funded with the NHCP’s GAA for 2015-2016 specifically for structures damaged by the 2013 earthquake in Bohol and Cebu.

The NHCP is the arm of the national government in the promotion of Philippine history through preservation and protection of historical and heritage sites and structures.