Manila wants DMCI condo project across Rizal Park stopped

The Manila City Council is seeking to temporarily stop property developer DMCI Homes from completing a 40-story residential development that will mar the sight line to national monument Rizal Park.

 

The city council on Tuesday passed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension of DMCI Homes' building permit, Councilor DJ Bagatsing told GMA News Online Thursday.

 

The councilor said the resolution will take effect once the City Engineering Office, which is in charge of building permits, approves it.

 

The council is not against the development, but for DMCI Homes to redesign the condominium tower,  Bagatsing said. 

 

"Kailangan magkaroon ng dialog with stakeholders to find a harmony and balance with cultural and historical heritage at para mabago ang design ng building," he said.

 

DMCI Homes is currently building 40-story, single-tower condominium along Taft Ave. and between Rizal Park and Adamson University, according to the developer.

 

"The Rizal Monument, as you can see, clear ang background n'ya. Kung papayagan na itayo ang building na ito, mababastos ang cultural and historical heritage natin," Bagatsing said.

 

In a text message, Isidro Consunji, DMCI Holdings Inc. president, said he doesn't know the details of the resolution. 

DMCI Holdings is the parent company of DMCI Homes.

 

In June 2012, Change.org Philippines said cultural activist Carlos Celdran started an online petition and was able to gather more than 4,000 signatures to stop Torre de Manila,.

 

Bagatsing said the Manila City Council responded to the petition and ruled to stop the construction and file a case against DMCI Homes for violating the city's Zoning Ordinance No. 8119. 

 

This was, however, vetoed by then-Mayor Alfredo Lim in April 2013, just before he was defeated by former President Joseph Estrada in the mayoralty race in May. 

 

Celdran revived the online petition and has since gathered more than 8,000 signatures supporting the call for suspending DMCI Homes' building permit. – VS, GMA News