Conservation groups dismayed as demolition of iconic Escolta building starts  

The International Council of Monuments and Sights (ICOMOS) Philippines is in mourning as the Manila city government begins to demolish the iconic Philippine National Bank (PNB) Building in Escolta.

According to ICOMOS president Dominic Galicia, the PNB Building is a symbol of the the city's prosperity in the 1960s and to remove it is to remove an important part of history.

"Kung aalisin mo 'yung PNB na representation ng galing natin in the 1960s, parang malaking aspeto ng Escolta—malaking aspeto ng kasaysayan natin as a country ang mawawala," he said.

Conservationist groups have been petitioning to retrofit the building in order to save it. However, Engr. Rogelio Legaspi of the Office of the Building Official in Manila said the local government does not have the budget to restore the PNB Building.

He explained that the PNB Building is no longer structurally sound, which would make attempts to repair it more than difficult.

The City College of Manila (Universidad de Manila) tried to use the it, but they vacated it in 2006 after huge chunks of the building began to fall.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada affirmed the need to demolish the building after it was hit by fire on January 7.

Legaspi seconded his sentiments in an interview with GMA News Sherry Ann Torres, saying, "After thorough evaluation, we found that the building poses imminent danger to the lives and limbs of the general public."

"May nahuhulog na, may nabagsakan ng sasakyan, even though we provided canopies and protective nets," he added.

The Office of the Building Official expressed further concern about "The Big One" or the anticipated movement of the West Valley Fault. Legaspi claimed their office is willing to have a dialogue with the conservation groups, but only to clarify the reasons behind the demolition.  —AT/KBK, GMA News