A 聽 petition is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to save the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila following reports that Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada plans to convert the sports coliseum into a mall.
The petition called 鈥淪ave Rizal Memorial Sports Complex,鈥� initiated on November 26, needed 7,500 signatures before being submitted to Duterte, Estrada, the Manila city council, and the Philippine Sports Commission.
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As of posting time, the petition had 6,596 signatures.
鈥淭his petition calls for the Manila City Government to improve the Sports Complex聽 to be better and redevelop the Harrison Plaza-RMSC area into 60% open and green space,鈥� the petition reaD.
It said that 鈥淩izal Memorial Stadium, Coliseum, and the rest of the complex are architectural and historical gems, as it is designed in Art Deco style and has hosted different international matches. It is not only a gem; it is a functioning and international class sports facility.鈥�
The petitioners wanted to adopt the proposal of architect Paulo Alcazaren, 鈥渨hich provides 鈥渃omprehensive and contextual solution.鈥�
Heritage advocates have criticized Estrada for his plan, saying another shopping mall would not do any good on the cultural development of Manila.聽CBB/rga