[ LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 966, December 12, 1979 ]

CONCERNING RESTORATION PROJECTS IN INTRAMUROS

TO:
The Minister of Public Works
The Action Officer, Intramuros Administration
The Governor, Central Bank of the Philippines
The National Treasurer
The Chairman, National Historical Institute
The Director, Bureau of Building and Real Property Management

WHEREAS, the Ayuntamiento and Intendencia buildings are two of the most historical structures in Intramuros still in government hands;

WHEREAS, the  restoration effort of public buildings  in Intramuros needs to be fully coordinated and implemented observing the highest historical and architectural standards;

WHEREAS, the Intramuros Administration was  created by P.D. No 1616  and assigned the responsibility of overseeing the development of  Intramuros and the restoration of certain areas therein;

NOW, THEREFORE, I , FERDINAND E. MARCOS,  President of the Philippines, do hereby Order and Instruct:
  1. The Ayuntamiento  and Intendencia buildings in Intramuros shall be restored, as such an possible to conform to their appearance during  the Spanish Regime.  The  Intramuros Administration  (hereinafter referred to as  "Administration")  shall be responsible for the overall guidance and direction of the restoration  effort  and as  such shall approve the restoration Plan and architectural drawing and oversee the restoration work.

  2. The construction of both buildings  shall be undertaken by the intramuros Administration through competitive bidding among at least  three  refutable  firms with proven experience in restoration  work.  The Ministry of Public Works shall provide assistance during the bidding and in construction  supervision.

  3.   The surviving architectural/building components of the Intendencia and Ayuntaniento buildings, including grilles, balusters, ironwork, adobe stones, piedra china, and other reusable components shall be removed by the Intramuros Administration for safekeeping and for later reinstallation or use.

  4. The architectural plans of the Intendencia building, directed  to by prepared  by the MPW under LOI No.  812, shall be subject  to review and final  approval of the Administration.

  5. The Administration shall immediately research on surviving records/plans of the original Ayuntamiento and on the extant ruins and on this basis  shall prepare architectural plans and drawings that shall constitute the plan of restoration.  It is hereby authorized to contract with, professional architects for the purpose.

  6. The interiors of the Ayuntomiento shall be restored as much as possible to  their original condition, with particular attention to the Marble Hall, the staircase and vestibule, the former Session Hall of the Supreme Court and the former offices of the Governors-General.  The main rooms shall be used for public purposes by the national  government.  The subsidiary rooms shall be used by the Administration as its principal offices  and by other agencies of the  government as may be authorized by the President upon recommendation of the Administration,

  7. The Intendencia building shall be used to house the Spanish Records Division of the National Archives  and such other offices as may be  approved by the President  upon recommendation of  the Administration.

  8. The administration of land and structures/ruins thereon at the site  of the  Intendencia and Ayuntamiento buildings shall be transferred to the Administration.

  9. The  functions of the Ad Hoc Restoration Committee for Intramuros created by LOI No. 733 dated August 28,  1978 are hereby transferred to  the  Intramuros Administration.

  10. The Minister of the Budget shall release the funds needed for construction work, as may be approved by the President on the joint recommendation of the Minister of Public Works and the Action Officer of the Administration.

  11. The provisions of LOI No.  733 directing the restoration of certain areas  in Intramuros  and of LOI No. 812 directing the restoration of the Intendencia building are hereby amended to conform with this Letter of Instruction.
Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of December, in the Year of Our Lord,  nineteen hundred and seventy-nine.

(Sgd.)  FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines