El Hogar demolition imminent, heritage advocates warn

EL HOGAR as seen from Santa Cruz Bridge. SHERWIN MARION T. VARDELEON

The demolition of El Hogar, one of Manilas vanishing heritage structures, is imminent, according to heritage advocates, citing the apparent coyness of the Manila City Hall on whether it has issued a demolition permit to the new owner of the century-old building.

Leon Cruz Araneta of the Heritage Conservation Society said El Hogar appeared to be set for demolition since its new owner had set up concrete barriers and GI sheets around the building.

GI sheets have also been installed inside the structure of El Hogar, covering the windows from the inside, effectively covering any work that may happen inside, said Araneta.

He added that City Hall authorities had refused to disclose the new owner.

The biggest problem is that the City of Manila is not revealing the identity of the developer who bought El Hogar, he said.

They are also not giving us info if there is a demolition permit or not. They are not sharing information that should be [made] public, he added.

City Hall warned

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Historic Preservation Division chief Wilkie Delumen said the agency had written Engineer Rogelio Legaspi of the Manila Building Office (MBO), instructing him not to issue any permits on El Hogar.

Delumen added that the MBO had been informed that the new owner of El Hogar must submit a development plan to the NHCP.

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El Hogar demolition imminent, heritage advocates warn