Legarda opposes moves to privatize Manila Central Post Office

legarda opposes moves to privatize manila central post office

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday dismissed suggestions to privatize the Manila Central Post Office, stressing that the building should remain owned by the Filipino people.

During the first hearing of the special committee on the rehabilitation of Manila Central Post Office, officials from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and government cultural agencies bared that there have been attempts from private businesses to purchase the building that was gutted by a massive fire in May 2023.

READ: Manila Central Post Office fire: At least 7 hurt, P300M assets lost – BFP

“The issue of privatization somehow scares me because once you give the hand, they may want the body […] so for now, no,” Legarda, who led the special committee hearing, told the officials.

PhilPost’s Postmaster General Luis Carlos said that PhilPost owns the central post office building while the land it was built on is owned by the national government.

“There are too many malls and high-rise hotels, tama na (it’s enough),” the senator said upon hearing suggestions that the historic building may be converted into other profit-generating businesses.

But Commissioner Jeremy Barns of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines assured the senator that such attempts have already been reviewed and turned down.

Meanwhile, in her opening statement, Legarda said that the 97-year-old building is a testament to the country’s national identity and tangible ties to its past.

The Manila Central Post Office bears the title of being a National Historical Landmark and was also designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Culture over profit

The subject of allowing private businesses to purchase the Manila Central Post Office stemmed from PhilPost’s concerns of falling short of its mandate to generate profit upon the building’s rehabilitation and eventual reuse.

Barns revealed that the previous suggestion to turn

… Read more

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Aliw Awards nominations out

ALIW Awards Foundation Inc. President Alice H. Reyes has released the names of finalists for the 2023 Aliw Awards to be presented on Dec. 11, 2023, at the Manila Hotel ... Read more »

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos (Photo: Unsplash) The WhatsApp Web, the desktop version of the popular messaging app from Meta, has received an update allowing ... Read more »

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards MANILA, Philippines — The future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Dec. 4 ... Read more »

Local exec says 5-10 barangays still isolated in Northern Samar

Graphics by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas A local government official said Monday that five to 10 barangays in Northern Samar are still isolated following the massive flooding in the area last ... Read more »

App made by ex-jeepney driver will let you pay PUV fare, book tricycles

DyipPay app lets you pay jeepney fare, book tricycles “Barya lang po sa umaga.” Everyone who rides jeepneys knows this rule: it may not be an actual law, but it’s ... Read more »

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale Tuesday will mark the last day of pool play for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. From there, six first-place teams and ... Read more »

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response MANILA, Philippines — Recent incidents of fishermen lost in the waters off Southern Tagalog have prompted the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to form ... Read more »
Top List in the World