via The Dilpomat, 11 July 2023: The recent fire at the Manila Central Post Office in the Philippines has reignited calls to preserve the country’s historical heritage, leading to the formation of a special committee and discussions on restoring damaged buildings.
There are many reasons why the Philippines had a hard time saving and restoring its endangered historical gems. One is that incumbent officials often prioritize projects that require tearing down an old building with cultural or historical value to make room for new developments. For example, in 2000, the Manila Jai Alai Building, completed in 1940 and long considered among the most impressive Art Deco buildings in Asia, was demolished by then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to make way for the construction of the Manila Hall of Justice, which ended up being built elsewhere.
Before the demolition, the NCCA, the NHCP (then called the National Historical Institute), and other heritage experts pleaded to Malacanang and the Manila City Hall to preserve the iconic building but their pleas fell on deaf ears, as there were also concerns about the integrity of the foundations of the dilapidated building. The demolition of the Manila Jai Alai Building caused outrage among cultural and historical enthusiasts, and the backlash contributed to the passage of the National Cultural Heritage Act in 2009.
Aside from prioritizing government projects, heritage sites have also fallen victim to neglect and exposure to the elements. One example of this is the original house of the revolutionary hero, Fancisco Makabulos, which is located in La Paz, Tarlac Province. Despite earlier assurances that the house would be repaired, the two-story building ended up being demolished in 2018. However, plans to rebuild his ancestral house were announced in 2021, and the NHCP unveiled a historical marker on the grounds while a groundbreaking ceremony was conducted.
Source: The Struggle to Save the Philippines’ Architectural Heritage – The Diplomat
