MANILA, Philippines - A historic steel church building in Manila, which was allegedly designed by the French engineer behind the Eiffel Tower, is in an advanced state of disrepair because of rust and corrosion.

Tina Paterno, project director of the San Sebastian Conservation Development Foundation, said parts of the Basilica Minore de San Sebastián, better known as San Sebastián Church, in Quiapo, Manila is in immediate need of restoration. She said at least 36 kilos of steel have fallen from the ceiling and other parts of the church.

"Rust is really getting into the structure. What we want to do is look at the place and try to determine which portions are unstable and try to remove those loose parts to make it safe," said Paterno.

Designated as a national historical landmark  in 1973, the San Sebastián Church is known as the only neo-gothic, all-steel church or basilica in Asia.

Historian Ambeth Ocampo earlier confirmed that Gustave Eiffel, the engineer behind the Eiffel Tower, helped design the steel structure of San Sebastián Church.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said steel parts of the church were manufactured in the Societe Anonyme's  foundry in Binche, Belgium and were shipped to Manila.  On June 12, 1888, the first shipment of steel parts were brought to the Philippines.  Local artists and craftsmen joined a Belgian firm in completing the structure, which was completed and inaugurated in 1891.

Styled along neo-Gothic lines, the steel parts of columns, walls and ceiling were painted to resemble marble and jasper by Filipino artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students.

Fr. Rene Paglinawan, Board member of the San Sebastian Conservation Development Foundation, said he is appealing to the community to help in the preservation of the historic church.

"Since the 17th century, it has been the shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel so devotees found the center of devotion here in the Philippines," he said.

He added: "We want to involve the community to make this conservation sustainable, We are inviting the people to see the church and do something about it."