Thursday, February 21, 2008 Cebu City prepares to manage San Pedro
IN a memo issued before leaving for Bacolod City yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the creation of an interim management body that will draft guidelines in operating Fort San Pedro and Plaza Independencia.
He designated Vice Mayor Michael Rama as “overall overseer” of the plaza and the fort, a heritage site.
Built in the 15th century, Fort San Pedro is considered one of the most well-preserved forts in the country. Hundreds of foreign and local tourists visit the place every day.
The triangular fort is also the smallest and the oldest fort in the Philippines, constructed earlier than the Intramuros in Manila.
Last Jan. 31, the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) formally turned over the facility to Rama, City Administrator Francisco Fernandez and city councilors in a ceremony at the Cebu City Hall.
“There is a need to formulate sound policies in the operation of heritage sites, particularly Fort San Pedro,” the mayor said in issuing Executive Order 08-07, dated Feb. 20.
Rama said the order validated the already-created body headed by former city councilor Manuel Legaspi, a City Historical Affairs Commission member.
He said they have to confront several matters, such as clearing a portion where stalls “cover the elegance of the plaza.”
Rama said he spoke with University of Cebu owner Augusto Go yesterday morning and was promised that the school could tap its Civic Welfare Training Service cadets to help maintain the plaza and fort’s cleanliness. (RHM)
