Church destroyed by Yolanda to get P13M reconstruction grant from USA

A church destroyed by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) almost one year ago will benefit from a $300,000 (P13 million) grant from the United States government.

The US Embassy said Thursday the grant will go to the centuries-old Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan in Eastern Samar province.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg visited the church last Oct. 20, according to a statement from the US Embassy.

“Historic landmarks like this are important to the community. The US Embassy believes it is important to preserve cultural sites for future generations to enjoy,” said Goldberg.

The grant is from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). With it, the US Embassy in Manila and the National Museum of the Philippines will help the initial restoration of the church.

Constructed in 1768, the church is the only shell-decorated church in the world.

Yolanda left more than 6,000 dead when it devastated the Visayas last November. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News