People generally assume that “development” means tearing down old structures and building cement and glass boxes in their place. Ongoing events in Sta. Ana, Manila could be the start of something new. 

Till last year, there was a large U-shaped two-story building on Sta. Ana’s Plaza Calderon, built in the 1890s for Columban Fathers.  The good fathers sold the property years ago and later owners tried to find some suitable use that would also preserve the building.  It has been nursing school, cooking school, and clinic but revenues couldn’t cover even just maintenance and taxes.  The owners therefore decided to sell the property and SM (which already owned land next door) bought it for something like P30 million. 

Over the objections of their neighbors, the Lichaucos, the heritage structure was demolished and the place is now a vacant lot.  Residents got wind of SM’s intention to build a “Save More” grocery on the property and spearheaded by Sylvia Lichauco and Lola Grande Foundation, things started happening. 

Public market vendors next door denounced potential loss of livelihood.  Others objected to the likely increased traffic congestion.  The National Museum wanted an archaeological exploration and DENR wanted extant trees protected.  The parish priest weighed in with the ongoing restoration of the 18th century Sta. Ana church as a cultural and spiritual destination.  A jewel should have a proper setting—the church and its immediate surroundings should harmonize.

Once a shady open space, Plaza Calderon is now an architectural disaster, lined with a four-storey public market (painted green), fast food joints and other indispensables of Manila life.  Crowded with jeepneys and noisy tricycles, plans are afoot to widen the street and reduce the plaza to a center island.

The newly passed R.A. No. 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act) allows government to designate districts (like Sta. Ana) as Heritage Zones, but the whys and wherefores are still undefined.

City Hall issues demolition permits, but the property is now bare and nothing more needs demolishing.  It also enforces zoning and building regulations, but another grocery store would violate no zoning regulations since the Plaza is already almost 100% commercial.  Notwithstanding vendors’ objections, how can the mayor object to cheaper prices for constituents.

City Hall approves building plans, usually evaluated for compliance with the building code, including fire regulations.  Special limits could be imposed on the SM property to make a Save More complex of comparable height, scale and appearance as extant old homes to its left (Lichauco, OB Montessori and Xavier House), though that would be discrimination, particularly as to its right is the massive market.

Happily SM management has proven sensitive to local feelings.  SM is paying for archaeological work and is willing to discuss matters.  Pity that no one thought of using the already vanished priests’ residence as signature store for SM’s cultural industries initiative, Kultura Pilipino.  With its Pasig River view and nearness to a River Ferry stop, it would have been the perfect arts and crafts shop, a destination in its own right.

Comments are cordially invited, addressed to walalang@mb.com.ph.