(Arnold Quizol/ MANILA BULLETIN)


Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. says the Philippine Postal Corporation must do all it can to reach out to the Filipinos whose mail and packages were reduced to ashes during the fire that struck the Manila Central Post Office building on Monday, May 22. "While it is heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage sustained by the Manila Central Post Office, my heart also goes out to our countrymen whose communications, correspondence, or valuables were lost in today’s fire," Abante said in a statement on Monday afternoon. "I urge the Philippine Postal Corporation to exert all efforts possible to identity and to reach out to all the individuals whose mail or packages can no longer be recovered," said the former House deputy speaker. Located at the heart of Manila, the nearly 100-year-old Manila Central Post Office building is an iconic structure, says Abante. "We came close to completely losing a national treasure, and I thank our brave firefighters for risking life and limb to save the Manila Central Post Office––an iconic structure that since its construction in 1926 has been a part of the landscape of Manila," he said. The veteran solon joined calls to quickly rebuild the historic landmark. "The fire that struck it is a national tragedy that the government should address by funding its repair, rehabilitation, and restoration so that it can continue to serve as a beautiful monument to our nation’s history." "The Manila Central Post Office will require resources, financial and otherwise, to be properly rebuilt. I commit to join this effort and to work with my fellow legislators and coworkers in government to ensure that the Manila Central Post Office is restored to its former glory," Abante said.