TACLOBAN CITY – The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has recently finalized a lease agreement with a private corporation for two sequestered properties associated with the Marcos family. These properties, namely the Santo Niño Shrine and Museum and the People's Center and Library, located in Leyte province's capital city, have long been revered as important cultural and historical landmarks.
Constructed during the era of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the 1970s, the Santo Niño Shrine and Museum and the People's Center and Library have attracted countless tourists over the years, drawn to their rich heritage and historical significance.
Under the agreement's terms, these properties' management has been entrusted to the Center for the Development of Sustainable Communities for Social Progress (CDSCP), a privately run organization. CDSCP has also secured the lease contract for these assets, with an initial monthly rental fee of P150,000. The lease officially began on April 1 and has a one-year validity, subject to the possibility of renewal.
The Santo Niño Shrine and Museum and the People's Center and Library house a remarkable collection of religious artifacts, precious paintings, and rare books and manuscripts, contributing to their appeal as sought-after tourist destinations.
Expressing her contentment with the lease agreement, Noemi Duarte, the PCGG representative in Eastern Visayas, highlighted the continuity of employment for the 18 individuals associated with these properties. She stressed the importance of this development, as it opens avenues for much-needed renovations and improvements to enhance the overall visitor experience.
Previously, due to legal restrictions, even minor refurbishments required permission from Manila, leading to delays in the maintenance and enhancement of these properties.
Dan Stephen Palami, owner of CDSCP and a former candidate in the Tacloban City mayoral elections in 2007, shed light on the decision to lease these properties.
Recognizing their significance as iconic tourist destinations, Palami emphasized the importance of keeping politics separate from the matter at hand. He expressed hope that the planned renovations would meet the expectations of Imelda Marcos, suggesting her potential satisfaction with the upcoming improvements.
The lease agreement for these sequestered Marcos family properties signifies a new chapter in their management and preservation, offering an opportunity to revitalize these historic sites while safeguarding their cultural and historical significance. —iTacloban (Source: CDN)