It was commissioned by Miguel de Cobarrubias, who moved to the Philippines from Spain with his family and believed that the Virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life.

and the Association of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Mr and Mrs Macario Mariano donated a three-hectare lot in Barrio Balatas.

Bishop Concordio Sarte initiated the groundwork for the construction, with the blessing rite and laying of the cornerstone held on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1976.

Dignitaries included those of the Philippine Catholic Church led by Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Manila, as well as prominent Bicolano sponsors.

On May 22, 1985, he received the decree from the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship bestowing the title and dignity of “Basilica Minore” to the “Church of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia”.

Barely 10 years after its completion, the physical structure of the basilica had deteriorated earlier than expected due to construction defects and exposure to the elements.

The doors were reinforced and strengthened, stained glass windows and oil paintings of the Stations of the Cross were installed, while concrete pathways and drainage systems were constructed around the shrine complex.

The first move was to treat the entire church and shrine complex with anti-termite chemicals to control and exterminate the pests, which have already damaged portions of the building.

The electrical wirings and installations were also retrofitted, while the giant chandeliers were replaced with the more luminous and economical Highbay luminaire lamps.

The basement has yet to be converted and developed into an Audio-Visual Room and furnished with the necessary equipment for briefing and orientating the thousands of pilgrims who visit the shrine.