The Filipino nation has a stake in Corregidor and all its structures. I think the public has a right to be informed BEFORE a project like this is implemented.
 

3. Why are the trees around the building being cut? I heard that these trees were eliminated because they posed a threat to the building during storms. This reason is not valid, because many of the trees are several meters away, and have no way of falling on (and therefore damaging) Middleside Barracks.

Behind this same building, the small trees and saplings that used to stand somewhat closer to the building have also been cut. Today, only a long row of small tree stumps remain. Surely, trees of this size did not pose a threat to the building. If there were any larger ones, the they could have have been balled up and transferred elsewhere.

My photographs show that they are making construction materials out of these trees. One picture shows sawdust on the grass, along several pieces of lumber that had just been hewn out of logs. Why are they cutting these scenic trees?

Can't they get their lumber from somewhere else?

For them to be doing that in a PROTECTED AREA like Corregidor Island is really the height of irresponsibility. Let them not say that Typhoon Millenio felled these trees, because my photos of tree stumps show root systems that are still firmly embedded in the soil. Furthermore, Middleside is a semi-sunken spot in Corregidor's terrain. With Middleside Barracks shielding the trees from strong winds on one side, and a small hill protecting them on the other, I could safely say that these trees were in no danger of being blown down.

Tree trunk and root show cuts made by a chainsaw. Tsk-tsk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION THEN?

1. Stop this project immediately before more damage is done.

2. Examine and reassess Corregidor Island's original development plan. This plan was formulated almost TWENTY years ago, and has been overtaken by newer trends and concepts in environmental preservation and protection. Preferences in the world tourist market have also evolved. This is particularly important today, vis-à-vis the competition we face from our ASEAN neighbors, as we vie for much sought-after tourist dollars. Corregidor is our cutting edge. Let's not ruin it!

3. Consult with different experts in structural restoration and/or preservation. Get their opinions and recommendations as to what should be done, the best way to do this.

4. Consult with Veteran's groups / associations. Consultation should not be restricted to local groups. Let us not forget that not only Filipino troops fought and/or died here.

5. Consult with tour operators, travel agencies, and similar organizations. These entities will be directly affected by radical changes such as this. They, too, have a right to know.

6. Take immediate action to stop the continuous deterioration of Corregidor's structures. Since I "rediscovered" Corregidor in 1995, I've noticed the continuous deterioration of Middleside Barracks (and other ruins as well). When I say "deterioration", I don't mean the wear and tear caused by the forces of nature, or the damage the building sustained during World War II, but rather, the seemingly unfettered chipping away of these concrete-based structures.

Here at Middleside Barracks, the disappearance of large chunks of FLOORS are a common occurrence. This shot was taken on the second floor of Middleside Barracks This is definitely not bomb damage! (December 2006)

Close inspection of floors, walls, ceilings, pillars and other parts of buildings will show that more and more of the concrete is disappearing. Each time I visit the island, pillars lose their mass, walls become thinner, and more iron bars become exposed. One does not need to be an engineer to surmise that building's structure isn't as solid as it was a few years ago. Before you know it, many of these structures will no longer be standing.

This excavation has grown over the years. Take note of the the tree branch sticking out of the hole.

Inside the Middleside Barracks, holes dug by unknown persons is proof that not enough is being done to protect these historic buildings. The holes are about two square feet in size, and the kind of cutting jobs done on the floor shows that the people who did this certainly took their time. One hole has grown in size over the years. .

In the mid-nineties, it started as a simple square hole in the conrete flooring. Later on, a small hole appeared in the soft soil directly underneath the original hole. After more time passed, a small crawspace appeared, thus making it a sort of mini-tunnel..

Lo and behold! The little tunnel has sprouted its own laterals. Surely, this kind of excavation is slowly undermining the foundation of Middleside Barracks.

Then, the crawlspace deepened, and became large enough for people to to squat in. A few years ago, two laterals started branching out from this the mini-tunnel. The depth and breadth of the excavation has increased over the years. Last Wednesday, I noticed a hole that hadn't been there two years ago.

Not far from Middleside Barracks, the old Army Hospital (incidentally, one of the least-damaged and best-preserved buildings), also shows signs of manual tampering. I guess it won't be long before it starts looking like Middleside Barracks .

Here's another photo taken on the second level of Middleside Barracks. Notice the condition of the pillar in the extreme right. With supports like these, is it any surprise why this building is deteriorating at an alarming rate? Falling trees blown down by typhoons or moisture caused by Banyan trees are not the the root cause of the problem (pun intended). What we have to watch out for are "Cement hunters" in search of filling materials and "Iron hunters" in search of scrap iron. Although I can't understand what they get out of badly corroded bars like these. Isn't it amazing how these people escape detection? How in the world do they hide their bulky and heavy loads?

 

 

 

If indeed, restoration work is done, what is to stop these mysterious elements from again chipping away at these structures? I recommend the immediate documentation of all structures on Corregidor Island through still photographs and video footages. This way, we can isolate when and where damage (deliberate or otherwise) is being inflicted on Corregidor's structures. The picture on the left shows how serious this problem has become.

 

In this photo, we see that an entire stairway has disappeared. The ceiling has likewise been "worked on", exposing iron bars. The pillars have also gotten slimmer, and will soon look like the truncated post in the photo on the left.

VISIT THE DISCUSSION OF THIS TOPIC WHICH IS ON THE CT&N BULLETIN BOARD

If you want to help us with our campaign to preserve Corregidor Island, please email us and we'll get in touch with you. Our email address: [email protected].

Likewise, send an email to the National Historic Commission and give them your opinion about this project. Their email address can be obtained from their website at:
http://www.nhi.gov.ph

Or, voice your support and write the Corregidor Foundation, Inc.:
[email protected]