Do we really need another mall? The government of Manila seems to think so.
We can start saying our sentimental goodbyes to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum located on Vito Cruz street, since the government of Manila will develop the 11-hectare property into a commercial center, Mayor Joseph Estrada confirmed.
“The construction will start within this year. But the completion of the project will take years. That is why I need another term to finish the project and see its completion,” Estrada said in an interview with The Philippine Star.
The legendary sports complex built in 1934 houses national athletes from different teams. It was the venue of choice for sporting events like the South East Asian Games in 1981, 1991 and 2005.
The good news? The national government is transferring the coliseum to Clark, Pampanga. This is in preparation for the 2019 SEA Games, which the country will host.
Estrada said that the construction of the said commercial center is one of the four projects he proposed to President Duterte in a recent meeting in Malacañang. The other projects are housing projects in Port Area and two reclamation projects in Baseco.
“The city government stand to benefit from these four projects because it will earn from them through an increase in the collection in real property tax and amusement taxes,” Estrada said.
