Rappler uses its app to crowdsource public feedback for Intramuros Administration

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler, with the help of its recently launched news and crowdsourcing app, gathered public feedback on how to improve visitors’ experience of Intramuros, and relayed this feedback to the Intramuros Administration (IA), the government agency in charge of the heritage zone.

Photographers, tourists, and heritage enthusiasts used the Rappler Communities app on Saturday, April 20, during a photography event organized by photography club Born in Film, inside the Walled City.

Born In Film’s World Photowalk 2024 was part of celebrations in honor of IA’s 45th anniversary. The heritage zone management agency agreed to formally receive all public feedback gathered through Rappler’s app during the photowalk. The exercise is part of Rappler’s campaign, Make Manila Liveable, where journalists and communities collaborate to improve quality of life in Philippine cities, one city at a time. Stories about balancing heritage conservation and economic development in cities is part of the campaign.

As part of the five challenges of the photowalk, the first station asked participants to download the app, enter the Liveable Cities chat room, and answer two questions regarding their thoughts on the current state of the heritage site and how the Intramuros Administration manages the area.

The Rappler Communities app gathered a total of 78 responses from the participants, dubbed “love letters” to Intramuros.

Rappler turned over the formal report on public feedback to IA on Thursday, May 2.

Here’s a look at what the photowalk participants had to say about Intramuros and IA.

An overwhelming majority of participants expressed gratitude and appreciation for the existence of Intramuros and how the IA has maintained it.

While there were many points of improvement suggested, participants were glad to have Intramuros as a place where they could reconnect with history and practice their photography.

For several, they have made repeated visits to Intramuros. For others, the photowalk was their first time in the Walled City, proving the value in events that bring in new visitors to the heritage zone.

Commenters lauded the preservation initiatives within Intramuros, praising