Redevelopment of Intramuros under PPP plan

The Department of Tourism’s plan to redevelop the five-hectare “Walled City” (Intramuros) augurs well for the growth of Philippine tourism in the future. (Inquirer, 4/2/11)

The redevelopment of the Maestranza Wall, patterned after Singapore’s Clarke Quay, would certainly generate a lot of interest among Filipino and foreign shoppers and bring them to its envisioned pedestrian retail outlets.

There is also the rebuilding of the San Ignacio Church that will house the ecclesiastical art collection of Jimmy Laya and will soon become the Museum of Intramuros.

This project is being offered under President Aquino’s public-private partnership (PPP) program to big-league property developers. And since most of them are quite interested to be a part of this project, I see no reason why it will not materialize or push through as planned.

Kudos to Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim for envisioning the redevelopment of Intramuros, which could be a showcase of the country’s cultural heritage.

—PEDRO REFUERZO JR.,
6737 Taylo St., Makati City