Fort San Pedro earned more last year than '09

CEBU, Philippines - Fort San Pedro generated P5.8 million in income last year, or P2.2 million more than its income in 2009, this according to fort executive director Lourdes Ann Limpangog in her accomplishment report.

Last year, the Parks and Playground Commission asked the city council for an additional budget of P20.5 million for the improvements at Fort San Pedro and Plaza Independencia. These included the restoration of the Fort San Pedro museum, the rehabilitation of comfort rooms and drainage system and the rewiring of the fort.

The Fort San Pedro Museum, which is located in the formidable bastion of Fort San Pedro, showcases the relics and artifacts of the San Diego, a Cebu-built galleon which sank in the 16th century off Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas, and a rich collection of ceramics and artifacts from various archaeological sites in Cebu Province.

The Fort San Pedro, which is the smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the country, caters to weddings, parties and other activities.

The fort also served as the hub of the Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

It has a total inner area of 2,025 square meters, with the walls being 20 feet high and eight feet thick. The tower stands approximately 30 feet high from ground level.

Work was first started on May 8, 1565 with Miguel Lopez De Legazpi breaking ground.

Limpangog also boasted that they are responsible for the installation of the marker dedicated to Our Lady of the Fort or the Lady of Remedios at the fort, in coordination with the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.

They also organized and participated in the Night of Heritage, which is also in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

Also, Limpangog said that they also facilitated the fencing of the Plaza Independencia complex. The Plaza Independencia, which is the most historically significant plaza in Cebu, is located between Fort San Pedro and the building that used to be the Gobierno Provincial in the downtown area of Cebu. (FREEMAN)