Intramuros to adopt new traffic scheme

MANILA, Philippines - The historic Intramuros may soon be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate the estimated one million foreign and local visitors to the Walled City.

Intramuros Administrator (IA) chief Jose Capistrano said they intend to adopt a new traffic scheme within the historical site in preparation for the projected influx of tourists in the area this year.

“We are adopting a so-called Integrated Parking and Traffic Management System which entails closure to motor vehicles of several streets to give way to increased foot traffic in the Walled City,” Capistrano said.

 From half a million a year, Capistrano said the number of visitors in Intramuros is expected to double or even triple with the new tourism package they are offering.

Last week, IA launched the “It’s more fun in Intramuros” campaign that aims to restore the old glory of Intramuros.

“We are here to encourage visitors to experience other activities here in the Walled City, aside from learning and understanding the rich and colorful history of the Philippines. This is the reason why we have come up with a new tourism package to promote Intramuros,” he said.

He disclosed that Maestranza Park is now being developed to become a destination where tourists could relax or look around in coffee shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

“The development is similar to Clarke Quay, a historic riverside in Singapore where restored warehouses were turned into restaurants and nightclubs,” he said.

Capistrano said the public should also anticipate an increase in the number of hotels within Intramuros.

The IA is also planning to make fine-dining restaurants out of the American Barracks inside Fort Santiago.

The tourism package includes Fort Santiago’s open hours and holding of cultural shows in the open-air Rajah Sulayman theater.

Capistrano invited the public to join the various events they have lined up such as “Kalinga Intramuros Day” tomorrow , and an old-style Santa Cruz de Mayo in Intramuros on May 27.