The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said that majority of the churches that were damaged by recent calamities can still be reconstructed. In an interview, Architect Ma. Jocelyn Mananghaya, secretary, National Committee on Monuments and Sites of the NCAA, said this was based on the assessment of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) group that visited Samar, Cebu, Leyte and Bohol recently. “There are churches that were gravely damaged but a lot of them were reconstructable. They could be rehabilitated,” she said. However, Mananghaya could not estimate on how long these structures can be rebuilt or restored, as it would depend on the availability of resources. “It will depend on the resources that we have and we are very happy that UNESCO is willing to support us,” she added, noting that the UNESCO is assessing the situation and they are going to put together all the information that they gathered.

The NCCA official also revealed that the National Museum is already doing salvaging work in the churches destroyed by the earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon "Yolanda" in Samar and Leyte. “We are very happy that they have done their share of work. In fact, NCCA, National Museum and other agencies they have been doing together to start recovery,” Mananghaya said. Aside from international support, she noted that church officials, communities are willing to work on the rebuilding of these structures. “It will be a collaborative effort between the national government, church, international and local community,” she added. On October 15, a 7.2 magnitude tremor struck the Central Visayas, particularly Bohol and Cebu destroying several heritage churches. On the other hand, the country was battered by the storm badly hitting Eastern Visayas on November 8, causing devastation to Samar and Leyte claiming thousands of lives and damaging properties. (PNA)