NGO, architects to conserve Cebu’s Gabaldon schools

Thursday 10th of May 2012

CEBU CITY May 10 (PIA) --- A Cebu-based Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts-Conservation and Heritage Research Institute and Workshop (USC CAFA-CHERISH) and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Cebu District-1 signed an agreement recently to focus energies on the Conservation Management Plan Training Workshop for architects.

It was held on April 3 at the University of San Carlos Main Campus with a pool of architects from the five UAP District-1 chapters who underwent training on developing a conservation management plan, which will serve as pre-requisite for the restoration of the Gabaldon school buildings in Cebu.

Gabaldons are post-American war era school buildings serving as signal that formal public education system already started in the Philippines.

Architect Maria Sarah Abadia, UAP-chapter 1 regional director declared that the architects know much about restoration and conservation.
We are very thankful that our profession is given respect in projects like the Gabaldon Restoration Project. With RAFI partnering with us, we feel respected.”

Chosen architects from the five UAP Chapters comprised of Cebu Chapter, Sugbo Chapter, Rajah Humabon Chapter, Lapu-Lapu Chapter, and Leon Kilat Chapter.

The chapters already started the process in crafting a conservation management plan for the Gabaldon school buildings in the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, and Argao all in Cebu.

The Gabaldon Restoration Project is a sub-component of RAFI’s School Rehabilitation Program (SRP) which is also one of the initiatives of RAFI under its Education Development Unit.

For more information about the Gabaldon Restoration Project and School Rehabilitation Program, please contact 418-7234 loc. 209 and look for Jicel Reve Gabriel. (mbcn/AS/PIA-7,CEBU)