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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - The historic Manila Cathedral will officially close indefinitely to give way for a structural retrofitting amid concerns that the "liquefaction" in the soil on which it stands could render it at-risk in a strong earthquake, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) chief announced Monday.
In a press conference, newly appointed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said that since last Tuesday the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has been closed due to some structural concerns.
The 441-year-old church will not accept any bookings of weddings, christenings and funeral masses for the next seven months or even one year.
"Based on the study presented to me by Engineer Angel Lazaro towards the mid-January, there are several structural concerns about the structural integrity of the Manila Cathedral; repairs are needed as soon as possible, in order to, not only preserve the building, but in order to ensure, most especially, the safety of the community that uses the building," Tagle said in his first press conference last Monday at the RCAM main office.
Fr. Carlos Reyes of the RCAM said renovations were being done in order to prepare for the possibility of an earthquake in Metro Manila.
"Just last week, a strong quake shook the Visayas. And they are saying it has been a while since a major earthquake hit Manila. Before that happens, we will start preparing [for an emergency] with a structural retrofitting," Reyes said, adding that the repair is overdue and the structure’s design is outdated.
He noted that the present Cathedral was completed in 1958, using structural standards of 1950.
He said that based on their assessment, the Cathedral’s structure is no longer in line with the National Structural Code of the Philippines 2010 edition.
"The study showed that there are failures of some critically important structural members, like columns and beams, to comply with the standards set by the National Structural Code of the Philippines 2010 edition," said Reyes, who is also a civil engineer.
He said they also found some "liquefaction" areas in the Manila Cathedral, which means that the soil could "liquefy" once there is an earthquake.
'We will raise funds'
Although Tagle did not say they are calling on the faithful to raise funds for the retrofitting, he expressed confidence that, with the help of the Manila Cathedral Basilica Foundation, the division can help raise funds for the re-building.
Reyes cited cost estimates reaching over P50-million.
Tagle said the board of the foundation promised to exert efforts to help raise funds.
Meanwhile, parties that have already reserved their weddings and other events at the Cathedral will be assisted in finding another venue by a newly-formed "wedding task force."
"It will be part of the explanation that will be given to them and we will also help them in finding another church [for the wedding," Tagle said.
The Manila Cathedral has seen some significant events in Philippine history, including the funerals of former presidents Carlos Garcia and Corazon Aquino, as well as that of former Manila Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin.
