Govt releases P270M to start Metropolitan Theater restoration

The national government has released P270 million to start the restoration of the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Lawton, Manila.

The amount will be used by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to buy the neglected theater from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement Tuesday.

“The MET was once a testament to the richness of Philippine culture and artistry, but decades of neglect brought this beautiful landmark into serious disrepair. The Aquino administration, through the NCCA, has taken the first step to restoring the MET to its former glory,” Abad said.

"It will take some time, but we are confident that the NCCA has the capacity to take on such a formidable task,” he added.

Abad further explained that the P270 million released to the NCCA came from the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts, which is part of the travel tax collected by  the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority/

“We cannot claim to pursue national development if we fail at preserving our culture and heritage,” the budget chief said.

The NCCA is also expected to create a conservation program for the MET from the initial amount released to the commission, he added.

The MET was opened in 1931 and used to host performances of international artists. It is also known for its Art Deco architectural style, designed by architect Juan Arellano. — Andreo Calonzo/BM, GMA News