Ilocos Norte comes up with novel way to restore historical sites

ILOCOS DISPATCH

Jennifer T. Pambid

LAOAG CITY – This province has come up with a novel way to restore its historical sites.

The provincial government will be giving free six-month training on basic masonry under its Task Force Trabaho program to at least 30 Ilocano youth starting July this year in Paoay town.

“After the program, trainees will be hired for restoration projects of the various heritage sites in the province,” said June Arvin Gudoy, head of provincial communications and media office. “They can also use the skills, which are very in demand, if they wish to work outside the province and even abroad.”

He said the program is in partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University and National Commission for Culture and the Arts including Escuela Taller, a school established by a Spanish agency that teaches facets of the construction industry that will help in restoration of heritage sites in the Philippines.

“Each trainee will be given an initial daily allowance of P150 and additional assistance such as free board and lodging. We encourage our youth here in Ilocos Norte, especially the out-of-school youth, aged 17 to 24 years old to avail of this  opportunity,” Gudoy said.

Masonry, the building of structures from individual units laid and bound together by mortar, is a highly durable form of construction material and is in demand in Manila and abroad.

However, Gudoy said the free training will focus on restoration particularly of heritage sites including buildings, museums and churches.

Aside from its aim of providing additional job opportunities, the program is also in line with the provincial government’s vision to promote Ilocos Norte as top tourist destination.

One of the most visited sites in Ilocos Norte is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Paoay Church renowned for its distinct architecture with the enormous buttresses on its sides and back.

In her state of the province address last year, Gov.Imee Marcos said in Ilocos Norte, culture sells and has become a livelihood rather than leisure to the locals.

“People come to see this special culture that is unique and different from anything else from the world. We must urgently put in place a cultural strategy not merely to protect heritage sites and museums, but to promote art galleries and spaces, endow the schools of architecture, design, literature, gastronomy, and renew vanishing indigenous cultures,” she said.

Interested applicants may contact 0948-290-0772 or visit the Sirib Youth Office at the Marcos Stadium, Laoag City.