Upon invitation of Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta, I attended a hearing presided by Senator Pia Cayetano about recent heritage law issues involving DMCIs Torre de Manila Project, Santa Ana, the Army and Navy Club Manila, and Admiral Hotel. I learned that there are certain laxities in the way Manila City Hall issues Building and Demolition Permits which have emboldened developers to disregard heritage laws and overstep the limits of permits given them. These officials, and surprisingly, even NHCP officials are apparently not too familiar with our heritage laws nor with the historical and cultural significance of our heritage buildings. This has led these officials to issue demolition permits to buildings which are widely considered historically and culturally significant, the Army and Navy Club and Admiral Hotel among them. When asked why the developer of the Army and Navy Club project overstepped its permit by demolishing the Main Building, instead of the annex buildings only, all the NHCP official could say was it was the Structural Engineers recommendation. So they mercilessly gutted the interiors of the historic Army & Navy Club upon the recommendation of their structural engineer alone! As Senator Pia Cayetano correctly pointed out, people and the entities they represent should be held accountable for transgressing existing laws and not be allowed to get away with it. It was unfortunate that there was no more time left to discuss the Admiral Hotel issue. It shall be tackled in a succeeding hearing and Senator Pia Cayetanos staff shall get in touch with us for further details. I do laud Senator Pia Cayetanos concern about heritage issues, unlike other politicians who always choose to side with big business or where the money is.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:57:26 +0000
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