Pledge to move ahead  in restoring historical structures and improving parish life in Maribojoc parish was overflowing with support from various donors here and abroad.
The pledge of assistance was done during the personal visit of Archbishop Barney Auza, Vatican representative to the United Nations, Deacon Rick Medina of Atlanta-based Catholic World Mission, Margaret Lacson-Ecarma of Washington DC-based Bohol Restoration Group, and Dr. Jaime Laya of Escuela Taller
Gov. Edgar Chatto expressed elation on the fund assistance. He was represented by Liza Flores.
During a one-day visit to see the structural damages in five locations in the heritage property of Santa Cruz parish, community members met with these officials who have started to make plans in providing further support for restoration.
“Continue with your faith and persevere with patience in this restoration process,” said Archbishop Auza. “I am happy to see that Maribojoc will be getting technical experts and new stakeholders to participate in the restoration plans that the community needs.”
Deacon Medina was provided the opportunity to award on the spot scholarship grants for a full year of school tuition for 13 students who performed during the short program.
“I am excited to work with Fr. Saco and his parish community to align our mission in partnership with the work of the Bohol Restoration Group,” Medina said. “Catholic World Mission is grateful to the Maribojoc community for allowing us to be part of their restoration and disaster response programs.”
During the visit, Dr. Laya received a $30,000-grant on behalf of Escuela Taller from the Bohol Restoration Group. The grant will be used to train out-of-school youth to be students in a vocational restoration program that will restore the retablo of the collapsed main church.
The National Museum represented by Charlie Tingtangco said that about 70 percent of the original retablo has been salvaged from the ruins as a result of the 7.2 earthquake last October 2013. From that earthquake, seismic experts said that the fully collapsed church of Maribojoc was a result of a 10.0 tremor.
The Bohol Restoration Group’s efforts have been initiated in Washington, D.C. by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr and his wife, Vicky.
BRG is planning to come back to Maribojoc in June 2016 and coordinate efforts with Governor  Chatto’s office with more stakeholders to be involved in the restoration process.