In the aftermath of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Northern Cebu on September 30, 2025, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has urged heritage caretakers to safeguard movable cultural assets even as rescue and relief operations continue.
While extending its deepest sympathies to communities affected by the disaster, the NHCP reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Cebu and nearby provinces.
Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr. acknowledged the loss of lives and the widespread damage to historic sites and structures, many of which he said serve as enduring symbols of Cebuano faith, identity, and shared memory.
The Commission expressed full support for the government’s immediate priority of saving lives and delivering aid but stressed that cultural heritage must also be protected during this critical period.
Through its Materials Research Conservation Division, the NHCP issued guidelines for caretakers, advising them not to enter damaged buildings without coordination and assurance that aftershocks have ceased. It also urged them to secure premises against unauthorized access, wear protective gear when assessing structural stability, and carefully document all damaged objects.
Movable heritage items should be retrieved with utmost care, wrapped in clean cloth or Japanese tissue, and stored in sturdy boxes. Fragments should be labeled and grouped for easier identification, while undamaged items may also be retrieved for safekeeping.
The Commission emphasized the urgency of retrieval to prevent further damage from aftershocks, weather, or theft. Recovered objects must be transferred to safe locations designated by heritage site administrators, with a quick inventory noting object names, measurements, materials, and observed damage. Restoration, it added, should be entrusted to professionals and skilled artisans.
The NHCP also cautioned the public against indiscriminate posting of photos of damaged heritage online, warning that such images may be exploited by looters or vandals.
Above all, it reiterated that personal safety is paramount, urging strict coordination with site administrators and experts before entering compromised structures.