Five heritage churches damaged by Cebu earthquake

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas said at least five heritage churches in Cebu sustained significant damage following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30.

In a statement, the DOT said the affected churches include the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan (built in 1858), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church in Bantayan (1863), San Isidro Labrador Church in Tabogon (parish established in 1851; current structure built in 1954), San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in San Remegio (1864), and the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City (originally built in 1858 and reconstructed after World War II).

Most of the churches are built from coral stone and are considered important religious and cultural landmarks.

A rapid assessment conducted by the Archdiocese of Cebu, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, confirmed varying degrees of structural and cosmetic damage.

Other damaged churches include the Capelinha de Fatima Replica in San Remegio, San Ignacio de Loyola Church and Saint Ignatius de Loyola Parish in Medellin, Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Bogo City, St. Labrador Church, and St. Martin de Porres Church, both in Tabogon.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, other Cabinet members, and a team from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) inspected the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City—considered the quake’s ground zero—on Oct. 2.

During the visit, Frasco said TIEZA teams have been deployed to assist with rapid assessments and coordinate restoration efforts with heritage agencies.

“We have already deployed teams from TIEZA to do a rapid assessment and inspection, and we are endorsing the NCCA and other relevant heritage agencies to ensure the restoration and rehabilitation of these symbols of our faith and culture,” Frasco said.

The DOT-Central Visayas office also reported that five tourist attractions in Cebu City—the Kabilin Center, Museo Sugbo, National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, and Casa Gorordo—remain closed pending structural integrity assessments.

Frasco added that about 1,206 tourism workers across the province were displaced by the earthquake.

“Many tourism establishments have been affected, resulting in the loss of livelihoods,” she said. “We are working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide immediate relief, cash aid, and alternative livelihood assistance.”

Cebu welcomed a total of 5,077,727 tourists in 2024, according to DOT data.