The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the seat of ecclesiastical territory of Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, will soon be declared as “Important Cultural Property” (ICP) by the National Museum of the Philippines.
This is exclusively confirmed to Palawan Daily by National Museum Cultural Properties Regulation Division Chief Raquel Flores. Flores verified that the Cathedral was on their list of nominated sites as early as 2018 and that they are now on the validation and formal final approval in order to officially announce its declaration this year.
“Tapos na ‘yong assessment, waiting for final approval na lang, madali na lang, ilang buwan na lang siguro final paper na lang,” Flores said.
It was the National Museum who officially nominated the cathedral. Reasons for its declaration is the age of its structures, the integrity of the Church and the architectural design to be considered as pride of the country.
The vicariate is in positive spirit due to the recognition received by the cathedral. Bishop Socrates Mesiona on a statement said that “it is a joy and honor to be in the list of history and culture”.
The Cathedral is constructed during the time of Most. Rev. Gregorio Espiga who was then the Bishop of the province, it was solemnly blessed by Rufino Cardinal Santos on March 12, 1961. The structure of Immaculate Conception Cathedral was built in honor of St. Exequel Moreno, the missionary saint that set foot and celebrated the first holy mass in the area in 1872.
Being an ICP the Immaculate Conception Cathedral will enjoy protection privileges including possible funding from the government for its sustainability.
“The aim of the government why we inscribe this particular honor to a particular object/site is to be able to be protected by the Government, when we say protected these are in the form of legislation, and the form of legislation is the inscription, ‘yon ‘yong pagbibigay sa kanya ng title in which in layman terms, the Government to provide funds easily,” Flores added.
Once declared ICP, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral will join the following cultural properties in Palawan: Melville Lighthouse in Balabac, Fort Isabelle in Taytay, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Fort Culion in Culion, Plaza Cuartel and the Fort in Cuyo.
Aside from the Cathedral, the National Museum also announced the official nomination of eight other sites in Palawan to be recognize as National Cultural Treasure (NCT) and under fortification process as of now, these are the fort in Linapacan, Melville Lighthouse in Balabac, Fort Isabelle in Taytay, Fort in Culion, Cuyo fort in Cuyo, Spanish Fort in Dumaran, St. John The Baptist Parish and Fortress in Agutaya and the San Nicolas Tolentino Church in Cagayancillo.
NCT is the second level or category after Important Cultural Property title. The Manunggul Jar from Tabon cave in Quezon is so far the only NCT recognize in Palawan.
“’Yong nag aaprove ng significance ‘yong mga paham na intelihente natin tungkol sa Culture and History, all of us kasi can be researcher, can be really good historian, pero we employ panel of experts to approve our recommendations, ‘yon ‘yong mga prosesong pinagdaraanan.” Flores said.
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