13 monuments to be moved to Roxas Boulevard

MANILA, Philippines – At least 13 monuments in different parts of Manila, including the statues of former Philippine presidents, are set to be dismantled and transferred to Roxas Boulevard.

This is part of redevelopment of the major road, where the monuments will be placed at various points along the baywalk and in plazas, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Monday, January 26.

The 13 monuments erected along T. M Kalaw Street to P. Ocampo Street will be removed also because they might be hit when construction works – such as drainage works, sidewalk, gutter, and plant boxes – start along the service road.

DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) Construction Division officer-in-charge Engineer Joy Bacual said among the monuments to be relocated are those of former presidents Jose P. Laurel, Ramon Magsaysay, and Elpidio Quirino; former Vice President Salvador Laurel; former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr; Filipino diplomat Carlos P. Romulo; movie action star Fernando Poe Jr; and journalist Maximo Soliven.

The plan to transfer the monuments was suggested by PGAA Creative Design, whose project architect Paulo Alcazaren is also the project consultant for the Roxas Boulevard Redevelopment Plan.

“The Department of Tourism and PGAA wants to put the statues in the plazas so it would be more appealing to the eyes and we would also have a more organized roadway,” Bacual said.

But the proposed relocation plan still depends on the response of the families of the prominent personalities involved, Bacual said.

She added that the DPWH sent out letters in October last year regarding the proposed relocation of the monuments, but received only a few responses. – Rappler.com