Finally, after 8 years of gruelling, comprehensive planning and execution, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish of Loon was officially turned over by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to its legal owner the Diocese of Tagbilaran on September 7, 2021.
The turnover also coincided with the eve of the feast of Loon town’s Patron, Our Lady of Light and the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Declared as a national cultural treasure by the NMP, this cultural property is among the more than 19 heritage structures damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas on October 15, 2013.
Considered as the largest and the “crowning glory” of Recollect architecture in Bohol, the Loon church was completely destroyed and left in ruins.
Through the collective efforts of both the national and local government units, contractors and stakeholders, the church of the Birhen sa Kasilak has been reconstructed and restored.
According to NMP Director General Jeremy R. Barns, “to be entrusted with this project and successfully implement and complete it has been one of the milestones in the 120-year history of the NMP.”
Present during the event was the Cong. Edgardo M. Chatto, Vice Gov. Rene L. Relampagos, together with the majority of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the province, representing the Governor Arthur C. Yap, and Mayor Elvi Peter L. Relampagos of Loon.
Also present were Bishop Alberto Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and other church leaders and clergy.
The ceremonial turnover of the parish and convent was then followed by the unveiling of the marker of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a national historical landmark led by Chairman Rene L. Escalante.
The reconstructed church of Loon was formally accepted by Uy, together with Loon Parish priest Fr. Desiderio R. Magdoza and Fr. Milan Ted Torralba of the Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.
The turnover culminated with the Rite of the Dedication of the Church and Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Uy, in thanksgiving of God’s faithfulness to his people, and the success of the project, according to a report released by the NMP.