Bidding for Manila post office rehab underway

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) will hold a public bidding for the rehabilitation of the Manila Central Post Office, which was destroyed by fire on May 21.

PHLPost, with assistance from the Department of Tourism and National Historical Commission of the Philippines, will schedule a bidding for the architectural and engineering design of the iconic edifice by the end of November or the first week of December, according to PHLPost chief Luis Carlos.

The post office – erected in 1926 and rebuilt after World War 2 – will be restored once the bid for the design has been awarded.

Asked if the P604-million insurance coverage by the Government Service Insurance System would be enough to fund the restoration, Carlos said it is insufficient.

He said PHLPost is considering holding fundraising initiatives.

Tourism Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan said the agency is committed to helping “rebuild and restore” the post office building.