QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1616)
Presidential Decree No. 1616, dated April 10, 1979. It was stated to take effect upon approval.
It is placed under the direct control and supervision of the Ministry of Human Settlements.
The Minister of Human Settlements as Chairman; members include the Mayor of the City of Manila, the Executive Director of the National Historical Institute, the Administrator, and such persons as the President may designate. Heads of ministries may also be designated as ex-officio members.
The Administrator is the executive officer who reports to the Board and has authority delegated by the Board; the Administrator has the same qualifications, privileges, and rank as a Deputy Minister.
The Board may create an Architectural Committee and other committees as it may deem necessary to advise on architectural or other policy.
It may issue regulations on zoning, building height, dimensions, architectural style/design, and other building construction specifications within Intramuros.
Yes. It may regulate traffic, street usage, and related matters, and it controls the nature, extent, and timing of access of private and public vehicles into Intramuros.
It can determine and regulate the architecture of buildings, the utilization of said buildings, and external display signs, advertising billboards, neon lights, and other external signs/advertisements.
The Administration may require private holders to modify designs so they comply with approved specifications (Sec. 3[f]). Also, it may require owners to modify the external appearance of existing buildings to comply with approved designs subject to Minister of Human Settlements approval and availability of funds (Sec. 7).
No changes in external appearance of existing buildings and structures, including ruins, shall be made without the Administration’s approval.
Buildings and lands owned by the National Government and administered by the Bureaus of Building and Real Property Management and other offices/agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations located in Intramuros, are transferred to the Administration. For properties of government corporations and City of Manila, compensation arrangements must be mutually agreed and recommended to the President for final approval.
Administration includes Fort Santiago, the Sunken Garden, and the Municipal Golf Links (including concessions within the Sunken Garden and elsewhere on public land and other public properties in Intramuros). The City of Manila may continue operating the Municipal Golf Links.
The Administration may acquire, lease, or hold real property and personal property and may lease, mortgage, sell, alienate, or otherwise dispose of such property as necessary or convenient for its work.
It is authorized to expropriate property within the bounds of Intramuros (Sec. 3[g]), subject to the general constitutional/legal requirements for eminent domain.
Construction/civil works may be undertaken directly or with assistance from relevant government agencies or private contractors subject to government rules (Sec. 10). Budget allocations for maintenance of national and local roads within Intramuros are released to the Administration, which maintains them directly or through others (Sec. 8).
A Revolving Fund into which revenues from operating and commercial transactions accrue; these revenues are automatically appropriated to cover expenses of such commercial operations, subject to budget, accounting, and audit laws and regulations (Sec. 14).
It allows (1) consultation with the Minister of Finance to extend real property assessment discounts in Intramuros for new construction and conforming improvements (Sec. 11), and (2) investment incentives for industries/enterprises consistent with historical atmosphere and not causing pollution, limited to not exceeding those for pioneer enterprises (Sec. 12).
The Administration may borrow domestically or from foreign sources subject to applicable laws and Minister of Finance approval (Sec. 15). It may also accept grants/contributions and even give grants/contributions to private parties for restoration/maintenance; grants and donations are stated to be exempt from donors and other taxes and fully deductible for donor tax computation, subject to valuation requirements.
It repeals or modifies PD No. 1537, PD No. 1277, and other inconsistent laws/decrees/issuances (Sec. 17). It provides that if any section/provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other unaffected sections remain in force (Sec. 18).