BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO – Today, local officials and representatives of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will break ground for the restoration of the historic Sta. Barbara Church and Convent.
The Sta. Barbara Church and Convent, built from 1849 to 1870 by the Augustinian mission, is of Baroque Renaissance architecture.
It was the site of the establishment of the Revolutionary Government in the Visayas led by Gen. Martin Delgado.
The national landmark will be restored in the amount of P50 million.
Of the figure, P30 million will come from NHCP, P5 million from the provincial government of Iloilo and the additional P15 million from Sen. Franklin Drilon.
The groundbreaking follows commemorative rites marking the 166th anniversary of Philippine Independence in Sta. Barbara town.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. will lead the celebration.
Sta. Barbara is also the home of the biggest Philippine flag in the Visayas.
The celebration will start with a Mass at 7 a.m. at the Sta. Barbara Church, followed by wreath-laying at the tomb of Ilonggo hero, Gen. Martin Delgado.
This year’s Independence Day celebration has the theme Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng./PN
