The Senate eyes the creation of a special committee that will oversee the rehabilitation of the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) which was gutted by a massive 30-hour fire that broke out Sunday evening, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, at least 42 members of the House of Representatives have sought an inquiry into the MCPO fire.
In a related development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to prioritize the investigation of the MCPO blaze.
“We are thinking of coming up with a special Senate committee to look after the rehabilitation of the Central Post Office building, restoration and rehabilitation. So hopefully we’ll be able to have that (measure) filed and we can approve it, maybe by next week,” Zubiri said during the Senate session.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the MCPO fire with a view to preserving and protecting the country’s “cultural properties.”
In a social media post, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said he was told by Zubiri to work with the Department of Budget and Management to source out funds to help restore the MCPO.
Sen. Francis Escudero proposed however, that the funds for the rehabilitation of the MCPO building must come from proceeds of fire insurance claims
The fire that burned the iconic old neoclassical building was believedto have started in the basement and immediately spread to the top floors.
The 42 lawmakers sought the inquiry under House Resolution 1019, saying the fire has caused extensive damage to the MCPO largely revered as a historic architectural structure and an invaluable cultural artifact.
The House members said the preservation, restoration, and protection of the country’s heritage sites are of utmost importance as these contribute to the promotion of cultural tourism, the enhancement of national pride, and the turning over of history to future generations.
“It is thus crucial to investigate the causes of the fire, to assess the response mechanisms employed, and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing safeguards and preventive measures to prevent similar
incidents in the future, specifically within the context of a heritage site such as the Manila Central Post Office,” the lawmakers said.
Eighteen people, most of them firefighters, were reported hurt in the incident.
The MCPO building was designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua, and served as the main postal hub during World War II.
The neo-classical building was also destroyed during the war, but was eventually restored in 1946.
In 2018, the MCPO building was declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum.
“That should be the financial cornerstone of its reconstruction. Before any appropriated funds are tapped, insurance should be collected first,” Escudero said.
He pointed out that the insurance money should be used first before touching the national budget.
“The law is clear. The GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) is the state insurance company of the Republic,” he argued.
The GSIS has already confirmed that the MCPO was insured with the state pension fund for P604 million.
Republic Act 656 or the “Property Insurance Law” requires all government agencies, except certain local governments, to insure against any insurable risk their properties, assets, and interests with the General Insurance Fund (GIF), as administered by the GSIS.
“Even the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects wherein the government has insurable interest should be insured with the GSIS,” Escudero added.
He noted that in 2018, the Commission on Audit (COA) issued Circular 2018-002, exhorting all government agencies to comply with law, after it had found out that there were still government
properties not insured with the GIF, or not adequately insured.
“In 2021, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) spent P21 million for all insurance premiums,” he said.
At present, he said it fire insurance premiums were included in the P25.8 million budget for taxes, duties and licenses, Insurance, fidelity bond premiums and other fees.”
Escudero said filing insurance claims should be started immediately to finance the rehabilitation of the ill-fated Post Office building.
At the same time, Escudero called on all government agencies and instrumentalities to heed the COA memorandum and make sure that their assets and properties are insured with GSIS in compliance with RA 656.
“What happened to the Post Office was sad, but we can easily rebuild this. Thanks to the assurance of authorities that this was insured with GSIS.
“This is a reminder and a lesson for all government agencies and GOCCs (Government-owned and Controlled Corporations),” he said.
“We must get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident at all costs and at the soonest possible time. That is why I am calling on the BFP to prioritize the investigation and exhaust all means necessary to find out the cause,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos commended the BFP personnel and fire volunteers who responded and helped put out the fire.
“I commend the gallant men and women of the BFP, as well as our volunteer firefighters who have shown heroism and courage in the face of adversity. Your heroism is priceless, that’s why I salute and sincerely thank you all,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief instructed the BFP leadership to make sure that the personnel and fire volunteers who were injured in the incident will be given appropriate help and assistance.