(Noy Morcso / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. called on fellow lawmakers to help ensure the restoration of the Manila Central Post Office building, which caught fire Sunday night.
“The Manila Central Post Office will require resources, financial and otherwise, to be properly rebuilt. I commit to join this effort and to work with my fellow legislators and coworkers in government to ensure that the Manila Central Post Office is restored to its former glory,” he said in a. statement on Monday.
Abante also thanked firefighters who helped minimize damage to the structure, which has been deemed as a significant historical landmark for the country.
“Today we came close to completely losing a national treasure, and I thank our brave firefighters for risking life and limb to save the Manila Central Post Office––an iconic structure that since its construction in 1926 has been a part of the landscape of Manila,” he said.
“The fire that struck it is a national tragedy that the government should address by funding its repair, rehabilitation, and restoration so that it can continue to serve as a beautiful monument to our nation’s history,” he explained.
Fire hit the Manila Post Office building earlier, reaching the general alarm at 5:54 a.m. It was declared under control by 7:22 a.m., but images taken during the incident showed the blaze causing destruction in various parts of the establishment.
Abante’s fellow lawmaker, Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph Recto, believes that the building can be rebuilt and restored to its former glory — just like in the past — by tapping into the country’s contingent and calamity funds.
Abante meanwhile urged the Philippine Postal Corporation to exert all of its efforts in identifying packages damaged during the fire, and notify recipients about it.