Intramuros, Fort Santiago among ‘most vulnerable’ historic sites—intl group

Two historical sites in Manila dating back to the Spanish period—the old walled city of Intramuros and the defensive fortress Fort Santiago—have been included in an international organization’s list of “most vulnerable heritage sites" around the world. International non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) included Intramuros and Fort Santiago in this year’s list of “sites on the verge" of destruction, among with 11 other historical places in the world. The group cited “insufficient management" and “development pressures" as reasons why the two Philippine sites currently “look shabby" and are “in poor condition." “Although much of the modern development that has changed the face of Manila has occurred outside the walls of Intramuros, several major food chains have opened outlets inside the fortress," GHF said in its report. The group likewise said that high-rise hotels and golf courses surrounding the Intramuros and Fort Santiago “destroyed the viewscapes and authenticity" of the two historical sites. In its report, the GHF also questioned why the city government of Manila wants to regain control of Intramuros, which is currently being managed by the Department of Tourism (DOT), a major national agency led by a Cabinet secretary. “There is rampant speculation that the city wishes to capitalize on Intramuros’ real estate potential, replacing the heritage and history with high rises and malls," it said. The group likewise urged the Philippine government “to properly assert Intramuros’ right to preserve its rich heritage." “There is a strong likelihood that it will be soon overrun by rampant commercialism. If indeed this happens, the efforts to rebuild this jewel of Manila after its destruction in World War II will have been in vain," it said. It added that although the Philippines only has a “medium" global heritage potential, the level of threats to these sites are “high." The original walled city of Manila was built by the Spanish colonial regime during the 16th century along the Pasig river’s southern banks and facing the old foreshoreland of Manila Bay. As the increasingly-populous city of Manila expanded to outlying districts beyond the walls, the original city came to be known as Intramuros (“within the walls"). Today it is considered as Manila’s oldest district, containing some original structures as well as rebuilt historical buildings that were destroyed during World War II. The Fort Santiago, meanwhile, is a defensive fortress originally built by Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, also during the 16th century, and gradually developed through the next three centuries. Among the many patriots who were imprisoned by Spanish authorities in the dungeons of the fort, the most prominent was Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who spent his last weeks imprisoned there before his execution in December 1896. Other sites that made it to this year’s list of vulnerable historical sites were the Maluti Temples in India, Hisham’s Palace in Palestine and the Palace of Sans Souci in Haiti.—JV, GMANews.TV