The Central Post Office Building in Manila, was a beautiful and historic building. It was built in the early 1900s, and since then, its striking neoclassical architecture was a monument to the Filipino progress in history. The Post Office Building has survived a world war, but on May 22, 2023, a fire broke out in the building that could possibly spell the end for the historic structure. According to reports, structural engineers will conduct an assessment of the building to determine if it is repairable or if it should be demolished. Manila Bulletin Lifestyle talked with the Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation (ETFFI), to discuss how repairs or a refitting can be made for the iconic structure. The ETFFI is a non-profit organization that works to preserve Philippine heritage. The foundation is well-known for its programs to train young Filipinos in traditional construction and conservation skills, and to empower them to become protectors of the country's built heritage. In the wake of the fire, the ETFFI issued a statement reiterating the importance of post-disaster response. The ETFFI said that rapid post-disaster damage and needs assessment should be performed to prevent further damage or loss to the site. "Proper shoring should be in place to ensure that post-disaster activities, such as documentation and retrieval, are done safely. Risk assessment of the current state of the Post Office building is also important so that the response is calibrated according to risks that are identified," said Architect Jeffrey Cobilla, Executive Director of Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.   Architect Jeffrey Cobilla
A retrieval plan of site and building components should be quickly developed so that significant elements can be protected from further damage or loss, according to the organization. "We have always advocated that Preventive Conservation significantly reduces vulnerabilities against the  hazards that our heritage sites are exposed to," continued Ar. Jeffrey. The ETFFI also stressed the importance of information management, such as documentation and condition survey, in post-disaster response for heritage sites. The foundation concluded by saying that the value of our built heritage presents itself when disasters such as the fire that consumed the Post Office Building occur. By actively caring for them, we strongly and consistently manifest their value to us. "Only then can we all be heritage protectors," concluded Ar. Jeffrey. The words of EFFI is a reminder of the importance of preserving our heritage. Heritage sites are not just buildings or objects, they are a part of our history and culture. When we lose a heritage site, we lose a piece of ourselves - our national identity. *Photos courtesy of Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.*