Following the fire incident that caused extensive damage to the historic Manila Central Post Office, a total of 42 lawmakers called on the House of Representatives to probe the disastrous incident.
House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts Chair Christopher de Venecia and 41 other lawmakers filed House Resolution 1019, stating that the investigation is necessary due to the MCPO building's significance as a heritage site, with the end goal of addressing the government's intervention and mandates.
According to the resolution, the investigation would also analyze the reaction processes used as well as the effectiveness of existing protections and preventive steps to avoid similar situations in the future.
According to some news sources, the old MCPO building did not have a fire suppression system or even water sprinklers.
De Venecia also stated that they would ask the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which ensures government property, to identify old government buildings that lack fire suppression systems, particularly historic ones such as the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Library, and the University of the Philippines.
The Post Office building, designated an Important Cultural Property (ICP) by the National Museum, was completed in 1927 and designed by prominent Filipino architects Tomas Mapua and Juan Arellano.
All cultural properties designated as ICP may receive government funding for protection, conservation, and restoration during times of armed conflict, natural disasters, and other exceptional events that endanger the country's cultural heritage under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, also known as Republic Act (RA) 10066.
According to news accounts, the fire started in the MCPO's General Services Department in the building's basement at about 11:41 p.m. on Sunday.
At 5:54 a.m., the fire reached the general alarm. At 7:22 a.m., it was deemed under control.
The BFP estimates that the damage to the historic edifice is worth PHP 300 million.
Meanwhile, the Manila City Government has allayed fears that a new facility would be built where the MCPO is located in Liwasang Bonifacio.
Mayor Maria Sheila "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan told the public in a five-minute live video statement aired online on Monday that the MCPO's current position is protected by municipal and national declarations.
