RECOGNIZING the heritage value of the historic Manila Central Post Office building, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco yesterday said the Department of Tourism (DOT) is ready to “follow through” with the rehabilitation of the structure.

Frasco, who was a guest at the “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” said, “The incident concerning the unfortunate burning down of the post office is a tragedy in terms of heritage, and it is such a cultural treasure that deserves national attention and support.”

She noted the assurance made by the City of Manila that the edifice will not be torn down.

Frasco stressed that they recognize the “heritage value” of the structure and are prepared to follow through toward the direction that the Marcos administration would wish to take in terms of how to rehabilitate the structure.

The tourism chief said Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprises Zone Authority (TIEZA), an agency under the DOT, could provide assistance in terms of the rehabilitation of the iconic building.

On Sunday, a massive fire gutted the historic Manila Central Post Office in Lawton, Manila. Authorities have yet to determine what caused the fire that injured 11 individuals.

The Post Office was built in 1926 and was once considered the “grandest building” in Manila.

It was destroyed in World War II as US forces recaptured the capital from Japanese occupation forces and rebuilt it in 1946.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cristina Lee-Pisco