The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Josephine Grace Aguilo / Philippines News Agency
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is finalizing a plan to revive Intramuros as a monument to the Philippines’ Spanish colonial past, a tourism official said recently.
The plan, spearheaded by Tourism Assistant Secretary Gwen Javier and Undersecretary Alma Jimenez, envisions the five-hectare Intramuros as a historical and cultural center that will promote Manila as a premier tourist destination.
Tourism Director for Public Affairs and Advocacy Czarina Zara Loyola said the department plans to solve Intramuros’ long-standing problems to make the city a walking tourist site, just like Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province.
She also said that, to make Intramuros accessible, the DOT plans to improve the sidewalks that are obstructed by posts and have varying curb heights; put up signs that would guide tourists in navigating the area; and implement an appropriate traffic plan that would address the volume and schedule of traffic, as well as parking.
The proposal also includes the restoration of the Maetranza Park to become a venue for cultural shows, concerts, and vintage car shows.
The department is also eyeing a public-private partnership (PPP) for holding events and concerts at the Clamshell Tent on Anda St., Loyola said.
To address complaints about the overcharging practice of kalesa operators, Loyola said: “We are studying the possibility of tapping Beep to work with us, para sigurado na yung kukunin sa turista ay yung halagang dapat lang kunin sa kanila [to ensure that the tourists will be charged the right amount].”
Beep cards, which are provided by AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), are currently accepted at Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3.
If the partnership between the DOT and AFPI pushes through, tourists can easily get around Manila, as they could ride the train, public utility buses, and other modes of transportation in Metro Manila using the electronic smart card, Loyola said.
Relocation budget
Meanwhile, the Intramuros Administration (IA) has allocated P410 million to recolate about 2,000 squatters in the Walled City, an agency official said.
IA aims to relocate 891 squatter families to Bacoor town, Cavite province, before the end of the year. An additional 1,200 families will also be relocated after the agency finishes conducting a census, according to IA Finance and Administrative Division Chief Merceditas C. de Sahagun.
AI recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) to make the relocation possible, she said.
De Sahagun also said IA will provide accommodations to relocated pedicab drivers in Intramuros so they can continue their livelihood.
The DOT aims to complete Intramuros’ redevelopment before the arrival of the Miss Universe 2016 candidates in the country in January 2017.