The Happenings Related To Controversial Torre de Manila’s Construction Exposed!

The construction of Torre de Manila undeniably sparked issues.

TORRE DE MANILA – There are lots of happenings related to the construction of the Torre de Manila on Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

Recently, a news report in Inquirer entailed the happenings that are related to the construction of the Torre de Manila. Based on the report, it was in 2012, month of June, when DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) acquired a zoning permit to construct the structure.

Torre de Manila
Photo Credit: Marianne Bermudez (Photo lifted from Inquirer)

However, not everyone agreed to the plan of DMCI. In the same month, activist and tour guide Carlos Celdran lodged an online protest against the building of the Torre de Manila – a high-rise condominium.

Celdran claimed that the structure would ruin the view of the monument of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, which is found at Luneta.

A month after Celdran launched the protest, a building permit was granted to DMCI by the Manila City’s local government under the governance of then Mayor Alfredo Lim.

According to the building officer of Manila City, Melvin Balagot, the DMCI has passed all the necessary requirements.

In 2013, specifically month of November, the building of the structure faced suspension over accusations of zoning violations.

The construction was resumed in January 2014 after the company was exempted from the regulations in zoning by the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

Months after it, the Knights of Rizal and Las Damas de Rizal Philippines Inc. lodged a petition in the Supreme Court. It was in September 2014 when they asked the SC to prohibit the company from continuing the construction of the structure.

Moreover, they also asked for the structure’s “immediate and complete demolition” based on the report. The Torre de Manila was 23 percent complete during that time.

It was then followed in November 2016 by the SC’s order for the National Museum of the Philippines, the Manila city officials, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to be included as ‘intervenors’ in the matter.

According to the report, lots of hearings regarding the issue were then conducted in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

There are netizens who are not in favor with the building of the structure. The structure was tagged as “Pambansang Photobomb” and “Terror de Manila”.

The NCCA has issued a cease-and-desist order on the Torre de Manila on the 5th day of January. Eight days after the order has been issued, it was served on the site where the structure is being constructed.

However, the NCCA said that the company did not obey it as the construction is still being continued.

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