DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has directed the DOT regional offices to coordinate with their respective local government units (LGUs) to determine the extent of damage, and extend assistance to tourism-related establishments (TREs) affected by the earthquake that occurred on Wednesday, July 27.
The DOT’s infrastructure arm Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is also tasked to look into how it can extend further assistance to affected cultural and heritage sites in Northern Luzon.
Initial reports indicate that tourist destinations and heritage sites were damaged, including two churches declared as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines, as well as ancestral houses in Northern Luzon.
In Abra, the National Cultural Treasure Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Church as well as the San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine in Bangued, one of the oldest churches in Abra built in 1920, were damaged.
In Ilocos Sur, the Heritage City of Vigan saw damage to its Vigan Cathedral, the Syquia House ancestral home-cum museum, Hotel Linda, the Bantay Bell Tower, and the St. John Baptist Church, while visible ground faulting has also occurred in the Santa Ana Beach.
In Baguio City, accommodation establishments Lafayette Luxury Suites Hotel and Crown Legacy Hotel both sustained minor cracks, with both establishments not accepting visitors for safety reasons.
TIEZA properties in the Cordillera region have also been affected, with the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel in Ifugao, and Mt. Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province sustaining damage. Both hotels have canceled all bookings while a proper assessment is being conducted for safety.
“We will request TIEZA to prioritize assessment of the cultural treasures affected by the recent earthquake recognizing the need to protect and sustain our heritage and cultural treasures for the benefit and welfare of our future generations,” Tourism Secretary Frasco said.
