Risk Preparedness for Cultural Heritage

The National Museum in partnership with the Local Government of the City of Tayabas sponsored a seminar on the Conservation of Built Heritage aptly titled as “ Risk Preparedness for Cultural Heritage” last September 19-20, 2011 at Mi Casa En Tayabas. The topics include Integrated Emergency Management, Risk Analysis, Collection Management, Disaster Response Strategies, Fire Prevention and Recovery and Evacuation Exercises.

This aims to create awareness on risk preparedness for cultural hereitage, to understand the need for integrated emergency management in the context of heritage of structure and sites, analyze the potential impact of risk factors in the structure, collection and people and tolerate and overcome damage, diminished productivity and reduced quality of life for extreme events without significant outside assistance.

The first day (September 19, 2011) started with the registration of participants. In the program proper it started with an invocation by Msgr. Charles Herrera of Basilica followed by the national anthem. Welcome remarks were delivered by the Representative of the Mayor Silang. It was followed by a message from the Director of the National Museum, Jeremy Barns which was read by Dr. Ana Maria Labrador.

The first session started at 10:00 in the morning. The first topic was about “An Overview: Disaster Preparedness in Museums and Heritage Sites” which was discussed by Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, Technical Advisor for Museum Development of the National Museum. It was followed immediately with a lecture on “The Philippines as a Hazard Country” by Ms. Maileen Rondal, Senior Researcher- Geology Division of the  National Museum. In the afternoon session, there was a lecture on “Concept of Integrated Disaster Management” which was discussed by Archt. Evelyn Esguerra, one of the curators of the National Museum. It was followed by a lecture on “ Fire Safety: Prevention and Suppression” discussed by C/INSP. Rosalie H. Abordo ,BFP-Tayabas City Fire Marshall. The last topic for the first day was “Emergency Planning and Response” and “Collection Handling and Recovery” which are all discussed by Mr. Robert Balarbar, Researcher II of the National Museum.

The 2^nd day (September 20, 2011) started with an Assessment and Risk Analyis of the Basilica of St. Michael de Archangel. Msgr. Herrera presented an AVP of the Basicila which was entitled “Silip sa Basilica”. After the analysis, the group went to Mi Casa en Tayabas for the continuation of the seminar. The first lecture was “Building Maintenance and Disaster Response Strategies and Tools” which was discussed by Archt. Arnulfo Dado, Curator II, Restoration and Engineering Division of the National Museum. It was followed by a discussion on “Deterioration and Preventive Measures in Colinial Churches” which was discussed by Engr. Orlando Abinion, Researcher, Chemistry and Conservation Laboratory of the National Museum. A closing message by Mayor Faustino Alandy Silang followed after the last topic. The last part of the program was the distribution of certificates.