Speaking before reporters during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines’ aviation forum on Monday, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista described the hotel — built in 1974 and ceased operations in 2001 — as “an eyesore”.
“The Philippine Village Hotel has been a problem for a long time,” he said. “In spite of our clamor to have it demolished, we’re not able to because of some legal issues.”
He said, however, that the government was able to take possession of the property late last year, and the Department of Transportation is now working closely with the local government unit of Pasay City to demolish the five decade-old structure.
San Miguel Corp., which will take control of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sept. 14 after having submitted the best bid among four competing groups, plans to expand the existing Terminal 2 building toward the property on which the hotel stands as well as the area formerly occupied by the Nayong Pilipino park.
To demolish the Philippine Village Hotel, Bautista said the government will have to secure a clearance from the National Historical Commission since the building is already at the 50-year cutoff that automatically classifies it as a heritage site.
“There are exemptions,” he said, adding that he expects to get the go-ahead from the commission to demolish the building because the space is needed for a priority project of the government.
“Maybe the NHC will understand the importance of the project,” the DOTR chief said. “If you look at it, it’s an eyesore. So why do we have to preserve it? At the same time, we really do need the area so we could improve the airport facilities.”
“We’ll work closely with other government agencies so that we’ll be able to start demolition as soon as possible,” Bautista added, explaining that his department was also able to secure exemptions from the National Historical Commission for other government projects facing similar issues.
Senior Reporter
