By Hanah Tabios

To bring back the lost glory of the country’s capital, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, with the help of the Intramuros Administration (IA) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), will create a “tourism circuit” that will serve as the heritage trail to link the historic walled city to the National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Binondo district or the city’s Chinatown, as well as other heritage sites in Manila.

This is part of the tourism development plans recently presented by TIEZA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pocholo Paragas and IA Administrator Guiller Asido to Domagoso for the revival of Manila.

“In line with the reintegration of the Manila City government into the policies put forward by our national government agencies, I’m calling on your support to revive the cultural heritage of the city,” Domagoso told Paragas and Asido.

TIEZA is the government agency under the Department of Tourism (DOT) mandated to implement policies and programs for the department. It is also in-charge of the development, promotion, and supervision of the tourism infrastructure projects in the country.

IA is a DOT attached-government agency responsible for the orderly restoration and redevelopment of the historic walled city in Manila which was built in the 18th century.

Asido also committed to start fixing the Lawton-Intramuros underpass in September this year which is currently being occupied by a number of vendors who also live in the area at night. The property was damaged by vandals over the years.

He also asked Domagoso to require business operators in Intramuros to secure first a permit from the city hall before operating a business, to which Domagoso agreed.

Paragas vowed to support the putting up of additional pedestrian lanes in the walled city as well as the installation of light posts as Intramuros is home to a number of universities and colleges.

The TIEZA COO also requested the removal of illegal settlers at the Club Intramuros Golf Course.

All these are part of the proposed “urban regeneration” of Intramuros which is being supported by the mayor.

Paragas also vowed to support Domagoso’s campaign by putting up new signages for all tourist destinations in Manila, including the 47 parks and playgrounds, which gave the Philippine capital the name “City of Parks.”

He also proposed to rebuild the Children’s Park in Luneta. The agency will also start studying the possible rehabilitation of the giant relief Philippine map in the historical urban park.