CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- To allay speculations that one of the three decades-old chimneys of the Pampanga Sugar Development Corporation or Pasudeco was “torn down,” officials on Friday said that they are now consulting with heritage and structural experts in reconstructing the smoke stack which was cut in half about two weeks ago.
The chimney reportedly broke down because of age, evening of February 8.
Several netizens and observers speculated that the chimney -- a historic heritage landmark built in March 1921 -- was purposely torn down.
Pasudeco officials, however, said they have already informed the public and the local government “that given the age of the structure, it just broke down on its own and there are no plans of demolishing it.”
City of San Fernando Tourism and Investments Officer Ching Pangilinan-Gonzales corroborated the statements of Pasudeco and said that no permit for demolition was filed at city hall regarding the chimney.
“When it broke down, Pasudeco officials immediately informed us that it broke down by itself and was not taken down on purpose. They are now consulting with structural engineers and heritage experts on its reconstruction,” she said.
Pangilinan-Gonzales added that the Pasudeco management led by the Escaler Family is “looking at the next best steps considering that it will also be commemorating its centennial in 2018, thus the need to reconstruct the iconic chimney.” (JTD)