Loon, Bohol
Also known as: Loon Heritage District · Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish
Definition
Loon is a first-class municipality on the northwestern coast of Bohol, Philippines, north of Tubigon. It is best known for its heritage church, the Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish Church, and for being among the Bohol towns most heavily affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of 15 October 2013. It combines a coastal commercial center with upland farming barangays producing rice, corn, and coconut.
Identities (Wikipedia/Wikidata/DBpedia)
- Wikipedia (English): Loon, Bohol
- Wikidata: Loon municipality
- DBpedia: Loon resource page
- PSGC: 072215000
Also Known As
- Loon Heritage District
- Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish
Examples and Analogies
Loon’s experience parallels other Visayan towns whose centuries-old coral-stone churches were leveled by seismic events; its collapsed heritage church is a landmark case of how cultural heritage can be lost in seconds. Its coastal-upland geography is typical of northwestern Bohol.
Usage Scenarios
Loon serves as a case study for post-disaster recovery and church reconstruction; a transit and farming municipality on the northern coastal road; a heritage tourism stop centered on the restored parish and plaza; and a residential area supported by agriculture and remittances.
Strategies
Post-2013 recovery prioritized rebuilding public infrastructure, permanent housing for displaced families, and structural restoration of the parish church with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Livelihood programs target upland farmers and fisherfolk.
Security and Safety Measures
Earthquake and typhoon preparedness anchor local planning: the MDRRMO maintains hazard maps, evacuation routes, and building inspections. Seismic-retrofitting standards apply to schools and public buildings; coastal barangays prepare for storm surges and flooding.
Historical Context
Loon was founded as a parish in the 18th century, and its church was declared a National Historical Landmark. The 15 October 2013 earthquake killed residents, destroyed homes, and caused the complete collapse of the church, reshaping the town’s identity and triggering years of reconstruction.
Challenges and Controversies
Major challenges include the slow pace and high cost of heritage reconstruction, debate over replicating versus adapting the original church design, vulnerability to future earthquakes, and economic recovery in a town whose built heritage was central to local identity.