EDITORIAL - A gutted national heritage

This National Heritage Month, a century-old landmark in the city of Manila was gutted by fire. Only the concrete shell of the Central Post Office was left after the conflagration was finally put out yesterday, seven hours after the fire started at 11:41 p.m. on Sunday in the basement reportedly housing the General Services Office.

Apart from letters and parcels, the fire destroyed the Philippine Postal Corp.’s entire library of antique and commemorative stamps – a national heritage – along with artworks used for designing stamps. PhilSys National ID cards that were being readied for delivery were also destroyed.

With such precious but highly combustible items, it is disheartening to find out that the building lacked fire alarms and water sprinkler systems, as noted by Bureau of Fire Protection personnel who responded to the blaze. Firefighting capability was also reportedly hampered by the lack of water. While about 80 fire trucks responded, it took more than seven hours to put out the inferno. BFP personnel said the enclosed space quickly dried up water. Fire trucks had to get additional water from the nearby Pasig River and even from the water fountain system in Liwasang Bonifacio across the building.

The five-story structure with soaring ceilings was designed by architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. Built in the neoclassical style in 1926, it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1946. On Nov. 24, 2018, the National Museum declared the building as an Important Cultural Property. This designation obviously failed to inspire efforts to boost fire safety measures in a heritage building that houses so many precious items made of paper and other highly combustible materials.

The landmark managed to rise from the ashes of World War II, but was then allowed to gradually fall into disrepair. Other countries pour resources into preserving such structures or enclaves. Countries with high awareness of the economic importance of travel and tourism almost always have “old towns” where significant investments are poured into the preservation, restoration and proper maintenance of heritage structures.

In the Philippines, the focus is on razing such structures to give way to mixed-use property development where the concrete jungle is the favored model. Perhaps this tragedy that has befallen the postal office building for the second time will serve as an eye-opener on the importance of preserving the nation’s heritage.