Alarm raised over alleged demolition plan on pre-war office building in Manila

The City of Manila is rich in historic sites such as the Rizal Monument, Army and Navy Club building, Admiral Hotel, and Santa Ana district—all of which are facing conservation issues.

Another site may be added to this list as El Hogar Filipino Building in Manila's Binondo district is also reportedly being threatened with demolition.

 

The El Hogar is located at Juan Luna corner Muelle dela Industría streets, facing the Pasig River.

It was built in 1914 with Beaux-Arts architecture as designed by Ramon Irureta-Goyena and Francisco Perez-Muñoz. Since then, it has been the address of various companies' offices during the American period and beyond. 

 

The building has been abandoned for a year now, according to a report on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho that aired on Wednesday. 

 

Recently, concerned citizens took it to social media to let the public know about the situation in the area. YouScoopers sent photos that showed that the building being barricaded. They also reported hearing loud noises from El Hogar as if something is being broken down. 

 

 

To this, Heritage Conservation Society member Leon Araneta explained, "Those are the indications that we see, that anybody who is in the construction industry will know that that means that there is activity going to start very soon." 

 

These reports reached the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and prompted engineer Rogelio Legaspi, the officer-in-charge of the Manila Building Office to inspect the area last Friday. 

 

"Pumasok ako roon sa loob, wala naman akong nakitang construction activity. Ano siya, masukal, magulo," he said 

 

According to the records of the Manila City Assessor's Office, El Hogar Filipino remains the owner of the property. The records also show that the owner continues to pay for the tax. 

 

Legaspi said if the owner of the El Hogar is planning to demolish the building, El Hogar Filipino must get a clearance from the NHCP first since the site is protected by the Republic Act 10086.

 

Back in March 11, 2014, the NHCP said it encourages adaptive reuse of El Hogar instead of completely demolishing it. The post stated, "The façade and all the important architectural elements of the building, including the mirador (balcony or belvedere), must be retained." 

 

GMA News Online tried to reach NHCP for update but has yet to receive a reply. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News