Aduana Ruins

WRITTEN BY AISLE MARCUS G. UBALDE

A hollow shell of the longest past

What are the, Aduana Ruins?
In short, the Aduana Ruins, which was also known Aduana de Manila or the Intendencia it was a Spanish Colonial Structure that was built in the 1820's and housed numerous government offices, and had different purposes for different times, becoming the National Archives office, and the first home of the Philippine Senate, and then the Bureau of customs, though the structure would not survive as disastrous events would lead to it's demise

Outside Aduana Ruins

Inside Aduana Ruins

Full History

Records show that this building was first built in 1823-1829, designed by a Spanish engineer named Tomas Cortes. Its location is also significant as it was built to be close to the Pasig River where much trade and commerce was going along its river banks as boats transport goods that came from the larger ships that dock at the seaport near the mouth of the river.

An earthquake in 1863 destroyed or damaged a number of buildings at the time; the Aduana was not spared from significant damage that it had to be demolished to prevent further damage. It was to be rebuilt in 1876, and the building soon served not only as the Customs office but also of the Intendencia General, (General Administration) the Treasury, and the Casa Moneda (Mint House) where the first Philippine coins were to be made. The Customs offices would later be moved to the reclaimed Port Area off Intramuros by the 1900’s, leaving the offices of the Intendencia and Treasury at the building. Thus the building became known as the Intendencia.

Looking at the building now, one might tempt to say that World War II brought its destruction. While it did suffer from artillery and bombings during that war, World War II did not bring about its demise. In fact, the building was restored after war and served as office for the Central Bank, then the National Treasury and the Commission of Elections. A fire in 1979 put an end to the functions the building has served and was eventually abandoned.

What will happen to it now?

In a report during 2019, it was said that the Public Works Secretary, Mark Villar, will give his commitment to ensure funding for the reconstruction of the building, aiming for the budget appropriation in the 2020 General Appropriations Act or national Budget.

“The personal commitment made by Secretary Villar is he’s going to lobby for the funding support of the project and that DPWH will support the project, not just for assistance in terms of funding but also for the technical development of the plans and programs,” -Intramuros Administration Chief Guiller Asido

As of now, it seems that the construction is finally being implemented

What is so interesting about the Aduana Ruins?
The ruins on it's own, look like a messy incomplete piece, but as soon as you hear more about it's history, and the significance of it, you get to further your interest in the structure, because as broad as it's history is, the broader it's beauty expands, it may hold nothing as of now, but it was once full of everything.

As of now the building is a shattered hull of a once historical center of history, but as time goes on, out people will finally piece it back together, to the glory it once stood in

References

Ranada, P. (2019, 8 juni). Aduana ruins in Intramuros one step closer to restoration. RAPPLER. Geraadpleegd op 16 april 2022, van https://www.rappler.com/nation/232511-intramuros-aduana-ruins-closer-restoration/
The Ruins of the Aduana Building. (2018, 9 december). Spectral Codex. Geraadpleegd op 16 april 2022, van https://spectralcodex.com/the-ruins-of-the-aduana-building/
Roamer, T. U. (2014, 3 augustus). The Aduana/Intendencia Building. The Urban Roamer. Geraadpleegd op 16 april 2022, van https://www.theurbanroamer.com/the-aduana-intendencia-building/
Espiña, J. (2022, 3 februari). 12 BEST INTRAMUROS TOURIST SPOTS (Heritage in Manila). Jon to the World Blog. Geraadpleegd op 16 april 2022, van https://jontotheworld.com/best-intramuros-tourist-spots/

Image Sources

the ruins of aduana building. (z.d.). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspectralcodex.com%2Fthe-ruins-of-the-aduana-building%2F&psig=AOvVaw2-8t1l0OV8XpGpFVktXGNn&ust=1650178560701000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCNiz16-AmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAm
aduana interior. (z.d.). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AAduana_Building_Interior_1.jpg&psig=AOvVaw2-8t1l0OV8XpGpFVktXGNn&ust=1650178560701000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCNiz16-AmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAs
the ruins of aduana building. (z.d.-b). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspectralcodex.com%2Fthe-ruins-of-the-aduana-building%2F&psig=AOvVaw2-8t1l0OV8XpGpFVktXGNn&ust=1650178560701000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCNiz16-AmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAy
best intramuros tourist spots. (z.d.). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjontotheworld.com%2Fbest-intramuros-tourist-spots%2Faduana-ruins%2F&psig=AOvVaw0JfAfpKvg10UyAwH1KPBrG&ust=1650189071485000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCICa4r6nmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
intramuros aduana ruins closer restoration. (z.d.). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnation%2F232511-intramuros-aduana-ruins-closer-restoration%2F&psig=AOvVaw0JfAfpKvg10UyAwH1KPBrG&ust=1650189071485000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCICa4r6nmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
Aduana Metro Manila Luzon. (z.d.). [Photo]. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com.ph%2FLocationPhotoDirectLink-g298573-d3685234-i134293786-Aduana-Manila_Metro_Manila_Luzon.html&psig=AOvVaw0JfAfpKvg10UyAwH1KPBrG&ust=1650189071485000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCICa4r6nmPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAU

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