The week started with a tragedy as the Binondo district in Manila was hit by a fire this morning.
According to Rappler, the fire started a little past midnight at the Land Management Bureau (LMB) and spread to other neighboring areas. This includes the Juan Luna Building which houses the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP).
National Archives of the Philippines na nasa Juan Luna Building sa Plaza Cervantes sa Maynila, nadamay na rin sa sunog @ABSCBNNews @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/AEdemDOwBK
— Jervis Manahan (@jervismanahan) May 28, 2018
Also affected were the Bank of the Philippine Islands building and Moraga Mansion.
ONGOING: Nasusunog ang isang gusali sa Binondo, Maynila @ABSCBNNews @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/wVAII0Pi7n
— Jervis Manahan (@jervismanahan) May 27, 2018
The Philippine Star wrote that 30 fire trucks have been sent to the site.
No casualties have been reported, although two firefighters suffered hand lacerations while another had difficulty breathing.
The fire has not been contained as of this article’s posting.
JUST IN: The National Archives of the Philippines admin office is burning. Heard that a lot of documents dating back to the Spanish colonial period are there. Imagine some of our historical memory lost forever. They had been warned before. Sigh. I weep. Photo frm Stephen Pamorada pic.twitter.com/rmHugF49fH
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) May 28, 2018
A spokesperson from the NAP has assured the public that the fire did not destroy any important documents, with most items from the Spanish Occupation kept at the National Library.
The NAP is “tasked to preserve the primary sources of information on Philippine history,” according to its website.
It was first established in 2007 via Republic Act 9470, the country’s first archival-related law in more than a century.
The LMB, meanwhile, recommends policies and programs for the efficient administration, surveying, and disposition of alienable and disposable lands.
