The Intramuros Administration gets a nod from the Tourism department for its program to transform the historic walled city into a “sustainable creative urban heritage district.”
“Ensuring a sustainable tourism industry entails a holistic management plan that starts with a great vision, and the Intramuros Administration’s vision is inclusive for integrating its people’s welfare, both the residents and tourists, with economic development and cultural heritage preservation,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
The IA’s 2022 Onwards vision is anchored on three pillars: (1) convergence of urban regeneration, (2) cultural heritage, and (3) sustainable tourism.
Six priority programs are slated to achieve this vision, namely, preparation and implementation of the first Intramuros’ Conservation Management Plan (CMP), “pedestrianization” of the streets, Manila’s Tourism Circuit, open spaces redevelopment, and the SIMPLE program or the Strategy for the Effective Mainstreaming of People’s Living Entitlements.
The CMP aims to provide guidelines for the preservation and improvement of Intramuros as an urban heritage site. This plan also includes a disaster resiliency component to ensure safety of all people within Intramuros.
Four programs are also underway to enhance the tourism value and experience of the people. The “pedestrianization” of major roads enables better protection and appreciation of major destinations. It will also support the redevelopment of open spaces to relive the essence of and reconnect to this historical place.
Complementary to these programs, Intramuros will form part of the “Manila’s Tourism Circuit,” converging with the Rizal Park, the National Museums, Binondo, and other sites within the city.
Lastly, the SIMPLE program aims to improve the quality of living of informal settler families residing in Intramuros. The program provides beneficiaries subsidized socialized housing units outside the district, amounting to P450,000 per unit, which they can eventually own.
“With the help of the national government, we are progressively accomplishing our programs for our Intramuros. We’re done with some of our infrastructure projects, such as the establishment of Museo de Intramuros; lighting and landscaping projects on Muralla street, Burgos and Bonifacio Drives; reclaiming of public spaces; and the rehabilitation of Fort Santiago; among other projects as well,” said Intramuros Administration head Guiller Asido.