Lazi church, convent restoration underway

by: Rizalie A. Calibo & Inacher A. Abatayo

LAZI, Siquijor, Nov. 29 (PIA)--Following the series of field studies, ocular survey/visit, documentation and assessment, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) recently released an amount of P600,000 for the restoration of  the Lazi Church and Covent in Siquijor province.

The project includes restoration of retablos, two pulpits and the door of the church.

National Museum conservation curator Engr. Orlando Abinion said the field studies, visits and assessment were done by the National Museum , NCCA and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) early this year.

Abinion said the US Ambassador Harry Thomas will also release some preservation fund for the restoration of the altar as he appeals Siquijodnons to unite in preserving the  magnificent national treasures.

The church is one of the more than 30 colonial churches nationwide that are targeted for restoration, he said.

Siqujor has always been known for its rich culture and tradition.

A tiny island province as it is, it has great contribution in history as having one of the oldest churches--the St. Isidore Labrador Church and the Convent in Lazi, which is acclaimed as Asia ’s largest and oldest.

Reminiscent of the old Spanish settlement in the province, the two landmarks are considered as national treasures - Lazi church and convent being declared as national cultural treasures pursuant to Republic Act No. 4846.

Presidential Decree-260 dated August 1, 1973 also declared the two structures as national historical landmarks under the National Historical Institute.

Constructed by Augustinian Recollects, the Baroque church was established in 1857 while the convent was erected in 1887 and finished in 1891.

Currently, the convent also houses the Siquijor Heritage Museum which preserves religious relics, artifacts and reprinted archival photographs (ca. 1900-1950) of the various churches and convents in the island.

The two structures are included in the Philippine National Commission on Culture and Art’s list of 26 outstanding  heritage churches of the Philippines that are targeted for restoration .

Also supporting the project is the Siquijor Heritage Foundation Incorporated (SFHI) that allocated P110,000 for the establishment of “dagkotanan” (an area where candles are lit).

SFHI treasurer Verna Alih, the old “dagkotanan” has been closed because it almost caused fire to the church.  The group is currently considering a new location.

SHFI is a non-government organization that leads in undertaking repairs, restoration and preservation of monuments and sites in the province. It also contributed much in the the establishment of the Siquijor Heritage Museum .

Alih said, giving focus on the preservation and propagation of the Siquijor culture and heritage sites will also strengthen the Siquijodnon’s faith and patrimony. (PIA-Siquijor with reports from Inacher A. Abatayo.)

===========

Minimum wage in Siquijor up by P20

Rizalie A. Calibo & Inacher A. Abatayo

SIQUIJOR, Nov. 29 (PIA) -- With the rapid increase in prices of basic commodities, the P20 increase for the minimum wage earners is music to the ears especially to the average income earners.

For Siquijor that belongs to a Class D province, the daily minimum wage rate for non-agriculture is P260. Agriculture, non-sugar is 240.

Provinces under classes A, B and C have higher minimum wage rates, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Siquijor said.

DOLE Information Officer, Jerome Alam, said the wage increase was approved recently by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), with the National Wages and Productivity Board (NWPB) and DOLE.

Alam said prior to the increase, the Board had conducted a series of provincial review and assessment of the regional economy with stakeholders in June this year to the four provinces in Region VII.

The increase in minimum wage is in accordance with Republic Act 6727 otherwise known as the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989 that mandates the RTWPB to determine and fix the minimum wage in their respective regions.

Alam warned that any person, corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or entity which refuses or fails to pay the prescribed wage increase will be penalized under provisions of the RA 6727, as amended by RA 8188.

He also said that DOLE is willing to assist and entertain any complaints for non-compliance of the said order. DOLE office is located within the center of Siquijor town and is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (PIA- with reports from Inacher A. Abatayo)