Gov't to restore historic Cine Corregidor

MANILA, Philippines - The government will spend P25 million to restore the historical Cine Corregidor Complex in Bataan, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said in a statement over the weekend.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said the move is part of government efforts to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

“The Aquino administration recognizes the importance of preserving historical sites like Corregidor. Apart from preserving our cultural heritage, such also supports our bid to boost tourism in the country,” Abad said.

According to DBM, the P25-million allocation will be released to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV.

The DOT is in charge of the structural retrofitting of the Cine Corregidor Building and peripheral works which would include concreting of access roads, installation of solar lamp posts and the rehabilitation of the Pacific War Museum using solar panels for its solar power supply system.

Abad said the completion of the project is necessary because of the growing number of tourists visiting the area.

There is a seven-percent increase in the number of tourist arrivals in Corregidor, to 76,224 in 2011 from 70,891 in 2010, Abad said.

The Aquino administration is restoring the historical structures in Corregidor Island because some parts have been damaged by recent typhoons.

“The ruins of Corregidor buildings, structures, tunnels and what’s left with the Allied Forces’ armory remind tourists of that fateful day in history that claimed many innocent lives,” Abad said.

According to historical accounts, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan.

   Corregidor Island thus became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government.