Govt allots P25M to restore Corregidor glory

The government is allocating P25 million for the restoration and preservation of the historical Cine Corregidor Complex, in order to save the historical structures on Corregidor Island from further falling in disrepair after these were heavily damaged by recent typhoons. Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said over the weekend that President Benigno Aquino III has directed the sum’s allocation because he recognizes the importance of preserving historical sites like Corregidor. He also noted that the site’s restoration would not only preserve Filipino cultural heritage but also boost tourism in the country. Tourist arrivals in Corregidor Island in the first ten months of 2011 have increased to 76,224, as compared to last year’s 70,891 tourists as shown in the Department of Tourism (DOT) records. A surge in more tourist arrivals is expected with the upcoming international marathon event on December 19 where some 500 to 1,000 runners are expected to join. “Aside from having a picturesque view, Corregidor stands for the courage, valor and heroism of Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II. That is certainly a cultural heritage that we would want to preserve and showcase to the world," said Abad. He said a portion of the P25 million would be released to the DOT Region IV, for the structural retrofitting of the Cine Corregidor Building and peripheral works such as the concreting of access roads, putting up of solar lamp posts, and putting solar panels on the roof of the Pacific War Museum to supply it with electricity from the sun. Corregidor is an island positioned at the entry of Manila Bay and had served as the headquarters of the Allied forces during World War II and contains ruins and tunnels which are regularly visited by tourists. —MRT/KBK, GMA News