Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Maria Serena Diokno discussed recently the restoration plans for age-old Ker & Co. and Elizalde Old COA buildings.
As part of adaptive re-use, Ker building will be restored to house the district offices of Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) while new multi-purpose hall will be constructed at the back inside the 3,000-square meter property purchased by the City Government.
Mabilog said the satellite office will accommodate more senior citizens considering the crowded OSCA office at second floor of City Hall.
The multi-purpose hall will become a venue for their activities such as medical missions.
Mabilog stressed the restoration will boost the city’s growing reputation as heritage destination.
Credited for sugar business boom, Ker & Co. was built in 19th century by British company led by William Ker and Nicholas Loney who held office here before he became British vice consul.
The City government acquired the Ker property for more or less P33 million. It was also declared a heritage site by the NHCP in a resolution it passed in 2014.
