Isko eyes renovated Manila clock tower as tourist attraction

The Manila City government is expecting an influx of local and foreign tourists in the city hall’s clock tower once all the renovations are finished and the view deck is opened to the public.

According to a statement issued Sunday, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said improvements were done on the clock tower to make it one of Manila’s top destinations.

“Tapos ‘yung mga turista i-package mo [sa] Manila Zoo, tapos Jones Bridge, Lagusnilad, Kartilya (ng Katipunan), Mehan Garden, tapos ‘yung Intramuros. Pwede mong gawin ‘yun eh, tourism group,” he said during his inspection of the largest clock tower in the country on Wednesday.

(From there, we could package tourist tours to Manila Zoo, Jones Bridge, Lagusnilad, Kartilya ng Katipunan, Mehan Garden, then Intramuros.)

Moreno announced on Wednesday that the soft opening of the re-developed Manila Zoo would be on December 30.

He asked Manila City Engineer Armand Andres and those in charge of the clock tower renovation to establish a coffee shop where visitors could relax and get snacks. City hall officials and employees could also drop by there during their breaks or use it as a meeting place.

The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer also instructed the renovation team to put up information boards about the history of Manila and the clock tower itself, noting that this project was inspired by the Old Post Office and Clock Tower located in Washington, D.C.

“Dapat dito ang history ng Maynila–ang Battle of Manila, panahon ng mga Muslim, Kastila, Amerikano, Hapon,” he said.

(This is where we should put up the history of Manila–the Battle of Manila, as well as the stories of the Muslims, and the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations.)

He added that a space in the viewing deck will also be reserved for painters and other artists to display their works.

Restrooms were also constructed at the clock tower for use by visitors.

The clock tower was designed by Antonio Toledo and was unveiled in the 1930s. It was destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt in 1946.

In January 2020, the clock tower was lit in red on Manila's 449th anniversary to honor frontliners in the fight against COVID-19. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News