Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. (Photo from Philippine News Agency)
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat bared Sunday, May 16 that the two sites will be opened on limited capacity and shortened operating hours. Minimum public health standards (MPHS) in connection with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will also be strictly observed.
Puyat made the announcement following the decision of the Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to place the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal–collectively known as NCR-plus–under a general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions”.
Based on the IATF’s guidelines, tourist attractions can now operate at 30 percent of the venue capacity, subject to strict compliance with health and safety protocols.
Intramuros temporarily closes sites bworldonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bworldonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published March 15, 2021, 6:46 PM
Sites and attractions inside the “Walled City” of Intramuros in Manila will be closed “until further notice” amid the surge of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).
In an announcement posted on its social media pages on Monday, March 15, the Intramuros Administration (IA) said Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, and Casa Manila Museum will again close its doors to the public.
The three sites were reopened only last month in a bid to gradually revive the tourism industry in Metro Manila even as the pandemic persists. Visitors will also be barred from Plaza Roma and the President’s Gallery, while entry to the top of the walls is also restricted.
Published March 3, 2021 12:57pm The gates of Intramuros are finally open again to tourists who wish to explore Manila s rich history. So what can we expect inside the Walled City in the new normal ? Unang Hirit gave viewers a full virtual tour with the help of none other than Miss Manila Alexandra Abdon. Fort Santiago, the great fortress used by the Spanish as a prison and artillery, and Baluarte de San Diego, where beautiful ruins of a circular watch tower used to defend Manila from enemies can be viewed, are now open to tourists. The famous Casa Manila and White Cross marker that commemorates the hundreds who died in World War II are taking in visitors, as well.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso
(Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
Domagoso said he is supporting all initiatives to gradually open spaces in the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic to boost the city’s economy.
“Of course, we want to support [domestic] tourism, lalo na ngayon. At least, kahit papaano, may madudulot na negosyo at trabaho ‘yan (that will contribute to business and the creation of jobs). If there is an open space, an alternative for the people to go to, we’ll support it,” he said in an interview over DZMM on Friday, Feb. 26.
On Feb. 17, the Department of Tourism reopened Intramuros, including some of its known attractions such as Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and Baluarte de San Diego, to visitors aged 15 to 65 years old.