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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Legarda rejects proposal to privatize Manila Central Post Office

Legarda rejects proposal to privatize Manila Central Post Office

Published Feb 13, 2024 09:00 am

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Tuesday, February 13 rejected proposals to privatize the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) underscoring the need to preserve the cultural and historical value of the building.

Loren Legarda.jpg

Senator Loren Legarda presides the public hearing on the proposal seeking to restore the 96-year old Manila Central Post Office on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Senate PRIB Photo)

Legarda, who presided over a Senate hearing on the rehabilitation of the post office, said it was considered a huge loss to the country’s cultural heritage, identity and tangible connection to its past when the iconic structure was razed by fire in May of last year.

“As Filipinos, we mourn the destruction of the building and the intangible heritage it represented, “ she said.

Thus, she said, the government should pursue the urgent task of restoring and rehabilitating the historic landmark.

“Our responsibility extends beyond mere reconstruction; it entails a commitment to preserve and safeguard our cultural heritage for generations,” she said.

“The destruction of our built heritage, whether by natural disasters or neglect, diminishes the very essence of our national identity,” she added.

The 96-year-old building, which was declared an important cultural property (ICP) by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2018, has been subject of privatization for some time.

Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) officials, during the hearing, said there have been attempts from private businesses to purchase the building to generate profit.

Postmaster General Luis Carlos told the panel that PhilPost owns the central post office building but the land that the post office was built on is owned by the national government.

According to Legarda, there are already enough malls and high-rise hotels in the metro and thus urged government officials to spare the MCPO from privatization.

“There are too many malls and high-rise hotels, tama na (that’s enough),” she said.

“This belongs to the Filipino people…my position is, I would like it to be shared,” Legarda stresssed.

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