Historic sites in Manila placed on risk list

Manila’s historic sites dating to the Spanish period have been labelled as most vulnerable by the Global Heritage Fund, owing to the government’s inaction over development and over-commercialisation.

photo credit: Kristoffer M.C.

Intramuros, Fort Santiago among ‘most vulnerable’ historic sites—intl group
GMA News, 29 October 2010

Two historical sites in Manila dating back to the Spanish period—the old walled city of Intramuros and the defensive fortress Fort Santiago—have been included in an international organization’s list of “most vulnerable heritage sites” around the world.

International non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) included Intramuros and Fort Santiago in this year’s list of “sites on the verge” of destruction, among with 11 other historical places in the world.

The group cited “insufficient management” and “development pressures” as reasons why the two Philippine sites currently “look shabby” and are “in poor condition.”

“Although much of the modern development that has changed the face of Manila has occurred outside the walls of Intramuros, several major food chains have opened outlets inside the fortress,” GHF said in its report.