Being a “national treasure,” some lawmakers want to rebuild the burned Manila Central Post Office (MCPO). The local government of Manila denied that another project will build the burned building.
In a video message, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuña said that the area is a “heritage zone” and that the first postal office was declared an important cultural property in 2018.
Because of this, the mayor said that no other project can be built in the area, except for the MCPO.
“Kaya nga po ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila ay makikipagtulungan sa ating national government na maibalik, ma-restore ang dating imprastraktura kung saan nakatayo ang Manila Central Post Office,” said Lacuña.
The Bureau of Fire Protection said that the fire damage will reach P300 million.
The fire started at 11:41 p.m. this Sunday and the fire was brought under control at 7:22 a.m. this Monday.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate is ready to help restore Manila Central Post Office.
“Nakakalungkot talaga ang pangyayari nato kung saan nasunog ang National Post Office natin na kinokonsidera na isa sa mga National treasures at important Heritage sites ng ating lipunan. Sana ma restore po natin ito para maging Museum at part ng National Museum Complex. Tutulong po ang Senado na gawin ito,” he said in a Facebook post.
Solons want to restore burned Manila Central Post Office
Sen. Sonny Angara, the Senate Finance Committee chairman, supported Zubiri’s statement.
They said they would contact the budget department to find funds to restore the burned building to its original appearance.
House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said funds can be obtained from the P13 billion Contingent Fund or from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center’s fund, which still reaches P19.03 billion.
“Nandiyan din ang NDRRMC or Calamity Fund, which has a beginning of 2023 available balance of P19.03 billion. The fire which hit this national historical landmark is undoubtedly a certifiable disaster,” he said in an FB post.
“Under RA 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, ‘national historical landmarks, sites or monuments’ shall be entitled to ‘priority government funding for protection, conservation and restoration,’” he added.
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