MANILA, Philippines — The construction of the controversial China-funded Binondo-Intramuros Friendship Bridge may indeed damage nearby baroque churches recognized as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). He was referring to the construction of a building in that Manila district where a bored pile was used. “When you excavate the bored pile, sometimes the hole collapses. So when it collapses, then it affects structures around without moving the structure.”In the case of the bridge construction, damage may still be avoided by checking on nearby heritage sites while work continues, he said. According to heritage sites advocates, if the bridge construction would continue, historic churches — such as the San Agustin Church and three other baroque churches nearby — would probably have to be delisted from the Unesco World Heritage Sites list.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 20, 2019 14:15 UTC