Intramuros to see tourism boost

MANILA, Philippines — The historic “Walled City of Intramuros” in Manila is expecting a technology and systems upgrade on its tourism infrastructure after the Departments of Tourism and Science and Technology signed an agreement with the Intramuros Administration (IA).

“This partnership with the Intramuros Administration is a testament that we can fuse science and technology and culture and heritage into one – one that will significantly build a culture of STI (science, technology, innovation) among different stakeholders and enthusiasts in the tourism industry,” said Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum.

The Intramuros tranvia line or street tram system will be upgraded into an “electric battery” powered tranvia or e-tranvia line.

A mobile application will also be developed for tourists, which will help facilitate a walking tour of historic sites in the district of Intramuros.

A bioreactor technology for waste management developed by the Industrial Technology Development Institute will be installed, upgrading waste disposal and management.

Signatories to the agreement, signed on Oct. 14 during the three-day Pamana Agham Fiesta, are Solidum, Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao and IA administrator Joan Padilla.