Manila set to redevelop Quiapo’s photo haven

The city government of Manila, under Mayor Lito Atienza’s Buhayin ang Maynila program, is set to redevelop R. Hidalgo street in Quiapo to restore its historic character as the photography haven of the country.

This developed after a consultation meeting at the Manila City Hall between officials headed by Atienza and R. Hidalgo street photography shop owners, different photography organizations, various photojournalists and even enthusiasts.

"Only Manila has a historical photography haven in the country. The portion of R. Hidalgo in Quiapo, from Plaza Miranda to P. Gomez street, has maintained its character as a one-stop-photography-shop through generations. It is appropriate to redevelop that photography strip under the Buhayin ang Maynila program even if we have already made the area pedestrian-friendly by setting up as an organization vending site," the mayor said.

Atienza has formed a team headed by Ali Atienza, who was also designated to oversee and implement inner city redevelopment projects under the Barangay Alley program, and composed of the City Administrator’s, Engineer’s and Architect’s offices and the Manila Hawkers Management Committee.

The younger Atienza said that the first phase of redevelopment includes the census and transfer of legitimate vendors in the area to another location which is the corner of Quezon Boulevard and Carlos Palanca street, fronting the Quinta Market.

The organized vending site will be relocated to the said area temporarily, and will be accommodated inside the Quinta Market that is up for a total renovation. No permanent structures will be allowed to be put up in the area, and vending will only be allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

"The whole stretch of R. Hidalgo street will be redeveloped, from Plaza Del Carmen to P. Gomez street, but only the strip of Plaza Miranda to P. Gomez street will be pedestrianized for it has long been withdrawn from vehicular use. It will be redesigned to be a promenade paved with colored inter-locking concrete blocks with comfortable benches on both sides of the street, landscaped and properly lighted. Also part of the plan is to place overhead wires and cables in the area underground," Ali Atienza added.

Once finished, the redeveloped R. Hidalgo strip will host various photography events and programs including free seminars and workshops and exhibits.