Manila (Third District) Representative Joel R. Chua has called on national government agencies to support and facilitate private sector-led rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Minor Basilica in the capital city.

In a privilege speech, Congressman Chua said that the church can be saved through rehabilitation led by the private sector, with foreign assistance, and government support and facilitation.

The agencies Chua identified to team up for the San Sebastian Church are the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Department of Tourism to work with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Museum, the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Science and Technology, and the NEDA Public-Private Partnership Center on the rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Church.

Chua asked these government agencies to “collaborate and coordinate with the San Sebastian Church, the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, the San Sebastian Basilica Parish, and the San Sebastian Basilica Museum and Archives, and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the rehabilitation project.”

The San Sebastian Church is located in the Third District of Manila and is composed of the Northern Manila Districts of Binondo, Quiapo, San Nicolas, and Santa Cruz. It is a Minor Basilica and is considered a national cultural treasure. Congressman Chua said that the church is a “wealth of the Filipino people” and needs to be saved from certain destruction.