PHLPost says DOT plans to restore Post Office building in Manila after fire

Firefighters douse the blaze that hit the Post Office building in Manila on May 22, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) said that the Department of Tourism plans to restore the Manila Central Post Office building, which was destroyed by fire in May.

”We welcome the move of Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to aid in the funding of the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Study through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority,” Postmaster General Luis Carlos said in a statement posted on Tuesday.

READ: Manila Central Post Office: Fire can’t destroy its future

According to the PHLPost, the DOT will study plans to develop the building as part of a cultural circuit in Manila.

“As you can see, this is an integrated, multi-sectoral and collaborative process whereby different agencies come together to address complex challenges in order for us to immediately restore the historic edifice,” Carlos added.

READ: Post Office fire ‘purely accidental’

Currently, the Inter-Agency Task Force for Cultural Heritage (IATF-CH) will spearhead the redevelopment of the building. Experts have also been contacted to aid in the restoration of the historic building built in 1926.

The building has also been shored with props to avoid dangers during restoration efforts, Carlos said.

In June, the Bureau of Fire Protection said that the fire was accidental, which was caused by the “sudden self-discharge of a car battery.”

Damages were estimated to be at P300 million to P500 million, including some antique artifacts housed in the building.

JPV