MANILA, Philippines - “If the Intramuros Administration (IA) cannot save Intramuros, then the City of Manila will save Intramuros.” This was stated by District 4 Councilor DJ Bagatsing as he urged the City Council of Manila to pass a resolution authored by him, 2nd District Councilor Marlon Lacson, and 1st District Councilor Dennis B. Alcoreza asking Congress to repeal Presidential Decree No. 1616, the law that created the IA.
Bagatsing explained that the IA was created to provide Intramuros with security and sanitation, but failing to do so, it has been the City Government of Manila which has been providing Intramuros with its basic necessities. Further, Bagatsing added that the IA has only been exercising a “limited function.”
“Mas mabuti saluhin na lang natin ang lahat (It would be better if we take responsibility for everything),” he said, adding that there is no reason why Manila should not have “exclusive jurisdiction over the administration, restoration, preservation, and development of Intramuros.” As the Council passed the resolution, Bagatsing said: “This would be the first step in the revival of the crown jewel of the city of Manila.”
Earlier, 2nd District Councilor Rodolfo N. Lacsamana authored a resolution creating an ad hoc committee to investigate why and how the Walled City of Intramuros and Fort Santiago have been included as among the 200 global heritage sites which stand to suffer “irreversible loss and damage,” and to find workable solutions in saving it.
Lacsamana revealed that data from a non-government organization in California known as Global Heritage Fund (GHF) even said that the two remnants of the Spanish era in the Philippines are in ruins because of “insufficient management and development pressure.”
“We have to do something about this deterioration,” the councilor said. “Intramuros is still a part of Manila, and its government officials have to show concern and work hard on restoring it.”
Intramuros was inaugurated in 1594 by Governor-General Luis Perez Dasmarinas. Its foundation was built when Governor-General Santiago de Vera ordered the creation of a stone fort, which in turn gave birth to the name “Walled City of Intramuros.
Czarina Nicole Ong, Manila Bulletin
