PHLPOST CLEANING. Binondo Fire Volunteers begin the cleaning of fire-hit Post Office building in Manila on Wednesday (Oct. 25, 2023). The volunteers used a high water pressure fire hose to remove dirt from the floor of the iconic structure. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – They help put out the fire, now they volunteered to clean up to pave the way for the restoration of the historic Manila Central Post Office that was destroyed by a fire last May.
With the help of firefighters from the Binondo Fire Volunteers, debris from the lobby were flushed out on Wednesday using a high water pressure fire hose, leaving the floor recognizable and free from dirt.
Plans of preserving the historic building are now being set in motion with the help of the Inter Agency Task Force for Cultural Heritage (IATF-CH) member agencies.
Moving forward, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has taken initial steps towards restoring the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) building.
A conservation architect has been tapped to identify the items or materials left by a fire that has historical value and facilitate its tagging, cataloging, and retrieval to serve as a reference in the actual restoration of the MCPO building.
PHLPost is also working on the shoring of the building. This is a process to temporarily support the structure, vessel, or trench with shores (a timber or metal props) to avoid danger of collapsing during repairs or alterations.
The Department of Tourism is now looking at developing the iconic building as part of a cultural circuit in the City of Manila.
Built in 1926, the Manila Central Post Office was declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2018.
This cultural property with exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the country, are eligible to receive government funding for its protection, conservation, and restoration. (PNA/PR)
