Press Release
January 13, 2009

Gordon asks IA to preserve gains of WOW Intramuros

Independent Senator Richard "Dick" J. Gordon today asked Intramuros Administrator Anna Marie Harper to preserve the gains of WOW Intramuros against vandals, petty thieves, and public neglect.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate tourism committee, bewailed that the improvements set in place to help restore the grandeur of the Walled City and attract local and foreign tourists, have been sadly neglected.

"Great effort was made largely by private sector funding and donations to install lamps to light up the once dark streets and walls of the Walled City to help restore its grandeur and make it safe for tourists," he said in a letter to Harper.

"These improvements were put in place for the opening of WOW Intramuros to give assurance of safety and encourage more tourists to visit Intramuros. It only requires minimum maintenance but the gains it continues to bring is enormous and yet the Intramuros Administration failed to maintain them," he added.

Gordon, former tourism secretary, deplored that the damaged lampposts that were already brought to Harper's attention during a budget hearing have yet to be repaired or their bulbs replaced.

"I visited Intramuros and saw a number of lamp posts needing bulb replacement and/or complete repair," he said.

Gordon also complained that the excavations made along the premises of the old Ateneo Municipal de Manila across Clamshell I constricted space for events relative to History Town Philippines.

"The 'Best of Regions' will commence on Jan. 13 with Region 12 and ARMM and a lot of activities like parades, cultural performances and even exhibit space for artifacts will be limited due to the enclosed quadrangle area of the excavation site," he said.

Gordon asked Harper to provide him with a project timetable and information as to the nature and purpose of the excavations being made.

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