Rep. Edcel C. Lagman of the First District of Albay has assured the reconstruction and repair of the roofing of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Tabaco City which was ripped off on November 1, 2020 by Super Typhoon Rolly.

As a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee on the General Appropriations Act of 2021, Lagman initiated the inclusion in the national budget for the current year the amount of P7-M for said repair based on the estimate of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

The requisite amount is allocated in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) since it could not be accommodated anymore in the appropriations of the NHCP.

National expenditure for the repair and restoration of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church is fully justified because the said Church has been declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines with its marker unveiled on June 12, 2012.

The government is obligated to help maintain, repair and restore the subject Church as a national treasure.

The construction of the historical Church started in 1864 and was completed in 1879 or 142 years ago.

Lagman recalls that when he was a student at the Tabaco National High School, as a member of the Legion of Mary he regularly attended meetings of the religious organization at the said Church whose dome then was fully decorated with superb artworks.

It is estimated that the total restoration of the parish church will cost about P21-M, including the P7-M for the roof repair.

Lagman committed to source from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) the additional funds.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN