NCCA orders strict conservation measures on Majayjay Church

A week after news broke out on June 26 that the old retablo of the Majayjay Church in Laguna had been demolished, a team from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) inspected the church to make sure the restoration works were properly executed.

In 2001, the church dedicated to San Gregorio Magno was one of more than 20 churches in the country declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum.

Its main retablo was demolished recently without the knowledge of the NCCA, a violation of the heritage law of 2009 which was amended in 2023 by Republic Act No. 11961.

On July 8, the NCCA, through its executive director Eric Zerrudo, wrote a letter to the parish priest, Msgr. Melchor Barcenas, outlining the commission’s recommendations for the ongoing project.

While commending the work which was in line with the maintenance and protection of the church’s significance, the NCCA warned against interventions that could affect the authenticity and integrity of the structure.

In the letter, Zerrudo outlined “actions for immediate implementation,” which included the adoption of the design of the old retablo into the new one being built and the discouragement of using concrete.

He asked the parish to provide archival photographs as basis for the new retablo and the “detailed documentation of the existing/remaining parts of the dismantled retablo including connection details.”

Detailed plans

The commission also required the parish to “submit detailed plans and axonometric view of the new retablo (sic) and identify in the drawings where the original parts of the retablo will be installed.”

The use of wood, preferably the same species used in the demolished retablo, was ordered, while steel support was approved but exclusively for the new retablo’s structural elements.

The NCCA also asked the parish to prioritize the investigation into and intervention on the cracks seen on its epistle side wall, and ordered that the majolica/azulejo tiles at the altar area as well as the adobe foundation of the retablo be protected from damage.

“It is highly recommended that the remaining adobe structure must not be demolished and, if possible, be reused or reintegrated into the reconstructed retablo,” Zerrudo said in the letter, adding that an “archaeological watch” should be done while there is excavation, and the adobe debris should be kept for use in future conservation works.

As part of long-term action, Zerrudo said the parish should craft the conservation management plan (CMP) for the church complex so that future conservation works are properly done.

A CMP is the main guiding document in the restoration of historic sites or structures.

“Following these recommendations and reviewing the submitted plans and methodology, the commission recommends the continuation of the project once the corrective actions for immediate implementation are complied,” he said.

The NCCA has also required the parish to submit a weekly photo documentation as a way for the agency to monitor the project.

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Lifestyle has sought the statement of the parish on this issue, but it has yet to respond to the query or release a statement to the public.

Aside from Majayjay, retablo renovation projects in recent years were also undertaken in at least three other historic churches in the country.

Other renovation projects

These include the Santa Maria Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, a declared National Historical Landmark, National Cultural Treasure and World Heritage Site; Magsingal Church, also in Ilocos Sur, a National Cultural Treasure; and Baler Church in Aurora, a National Historical Landmark. The renovations were done last year.

Lifestyle asked the Cultural Properties Regulation Division of the NCCA about these issues. For Magsingal, the agency said the parish had submitted its plans and the NCCA had already given technical assistance to the church on July 9.

For Santa Maria, “The NCCA has not issued any authorization for [the renovation] of the retablos … We are now in communication with the parish priest to clarify the reported remodeling,” it said.

The Baler church issue was endorsed to the NHCP for action, as the church is under the latter’s jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the NHCP, through its then chair Emmanuel Calairo, issued on Feb. 1 a cease-and-desist order against the renovation of Bacolod Cathedral’s interior, which still pushed through without clearance from the agency.