Department of Tourism Assesses Damage to Cultural and Heritage Sites

The Department of Tourism has directed its regional offices to assess the damage caused by the magnitude 7 Abra earthquake on cultural and heritage sites, including two national cultural treasures declared by the National Museum of the Philippines. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has ordered the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to explore assistance for local government units (LGUs) affected by the earthquake. The assessment aims to protect and sustain cultural and heritage treasures for future generations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Department of Tourism has directed its regional offices to assess the damage to cultural and heritage sites affected by the magnitude 7 Abra earthquake.
• Two churches declared national cultural treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines have been damaged by the earthquake.
• The Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will explore assistance for local government units (LGUs) affected by the earthquake.
• The assessment will prioritize the protection and sustainability of cultural and heritage treasures for future generations.
• Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has expressed concern and sympathy for those affected by the earthquake and has requested the DOT Regional offices in Northern Luzon to continue with the assessment of the extent of the damage.
• The Department of Tourism will extend help to tourism stakeholders and establishments affected by the incident.

Statistics:

• At least two churches have been damaged by the earthquake, which have been declared national cultural treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines.
• The affected cultural and heritage sites include some heritage and ancestral houses.

Sources:

• "Department of Tourism Assesses Damage to Cultural and Heritage Sites", Department of Tourism, 2023 (no date provided in the original text, so it remains as is)
• No additional sources mentioned in the original text.