NHCP urges safety-first in protecting quake-hit heritage

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) expressed solidarity with communities in Cebu and nearby provinces after the 6.7-magnitude earthquake on 30 September 2025 and urged heritage caretakers to prioritize safety while safeguarding cultural properties.

The NHCP’s Materials Research Conservation Division advised caretakers of moveable historic objects not to enter damaged structures until authorities give clearance and aftershocks subside.

The agency said sites should first be secured with barricades or caution ribbons to control entry and exit points and deter onlookers.

Caretakers should check a building’s stability before retrieval or salvage work and wear protective gear, including hard hats, appropriate gloves, and brightly colored clothing.

The NHCP urged caretakers to document the condition of damaged objects through photographs while remaining alert to falling debris.

The agency recommended carefully retrieving objects and wrapping them in Japanese tissue or clean cloth, placing them in sturdy boxes, collecting as many broken parts as possible, and labeling and grouping fragments for later identification.

It emphasized that damaged objects should be retrieved as soon as possible to prevent further harm from aftershocks, heavy rains, or theft and vandalism in unguarded buildings.

If conditions allow, the NHCP advised also retrieving undamaged moveable objects for protection.

Retrieved objects should be moved to a safe location identified by the heritage site administrators and away from damaged structures, with detailed photographs, labeled parts, and a quick inventory that lists the object’s name, measurements, component materials, condition, and observed damage.

The agency encouraged consulting professionals and skilled artisans for restoration of damaged objects.

It reminded the public to be cautious about posting photos on social media because images can be used by displacers, thieves, and other unwanted persons.

The NHCP stressed that personal safety is paramount and that no one should enter damaged buildings without consultation and coordination with site administrators and experts.

Incidents and requests for guidance may be reported through NHCP social media channels or via records@nhcp.gov.phand info@nhcp.gov.ph, and stakeholders may also contact the Cebu Archdiocesan Heritage Commission and the National Museum.

The NHCP noted it is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through museums, research, and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.