By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines–More tourists are expected to visit Intramuros, one of Manila’s enduring attractions, following the closure of entertainment establishments along the city’s Baywalk promenade area.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said he would work closely with Mayor Alfredo Lim in developing Intramuros, site of historic landmarks as Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, as an alternative destination.
Durano said he respected Lim’s decision closing restaurants and bars lining the Roxas Boulevard strip because of peace and order concerns.
“Clearly, Mayor Lim has his own reasons for closing them, and his predecessor, Mayor Lito Atienza, had his reasons in putting them up as well. Every leader has his own vision and priorities,” Durano told reporters.
The tourism secretary described the public reaction to the closure of the Baywalk shops as “generational. The seniors are glad because there’s no more traffic while the younger ones say they are sad because they had nowhere to go now.”
Durano said other entertainment sites in Malate and Ermita districts were seeing the return of patrons who used to frequent Baywalk.
“We appreciate Mayor Lim’s drive for peace and order because it’s making Intramuros more secure for the thousands of tourists that go there every year,” said Durano.
Intramuros, also called the Walled City, is under the supervision of the DoT-attached agency, Intramuros Administration. The agency is eyeing a revival of the Muelle de Rio entertainment area, which would be a part of the Pasig riverbank boardwalk. Another DoT agency, the Philippine Tourism Authority, is constructing a sports complex outside the walls.
