Razon Group to ‘revitalize’ RMSC

MANILA, Philippines – If plans push through, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) will undergo a major facelift, an “urban renewal” aimed at preserving the 82-year-old complex.

The Razon Group, which has shown great interest in acquiring the 10-hectare property, said in a statement it’s hoping to “revitalize” the RMSC.

The City of Manila planning to privatize the RMSC, built in 1934 to host the Far Eastern Games, has been in the news the past few years.

But it will have to begin with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the national athletes based in the RMSC to move out and find a new place to stay.

Yesterday, the Razon Group headed by business tycoon Enrique Razon provided the finer details of their plan on the RMSC.

“The Razon Group has for some time now been offering to re-develop and revitalize the RMSC through a preservation and urban renewal project,” the statement said.

The group stressed that re-developing the complex does not mean it will have to tear down the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum or the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium.

“(The) RMSC is a sports landmark and of the close association that Filipinos have for sports, the Razon Group, in its preservation plan, will maintain as well as fortify the RMSC façade,” it said.

What will rise are contemporary buildings that will house modern offices and commercial areas run by smart technologies, replete with modern amenities and green open spaces, and a sports museum. 

The business areas, the Razon Group added, will compensate for the expensive and meticulous process of restoring and preserving the RMSC façade.   

“With this urban renewal, Manila is expected to quickly catch up with other cities in the National Capital Region that have quickly grown and modernized.  Moreover, the revitalized RMSC is expected to provide a new revenue stream for Manila, as well as create thousands of jobs,” it added.

“Today, it stands derelict and a sad reminder of the Philippines’ former glory days in sports,” said the Razon Group, adding that the planned “urban renewal” of the RMSC will provide the city of Manila additional income.

But the plan is easier said than done because this early, there’s opposition from the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Sen. Manny Pacquiao also aired his thoughts on the issue, saying he hopes that the RMSC is “preserved” as part of the Philippine sports history.

“Sayang naman (It’s a pity),” said Pacquiao, noting that under the law, the City of Manila cannot force the PSC to vacate the property.

Chairman William Ramirez of the PSC also said the government sports agency and the national athletes quartered at the massive complex have no immediate plans of moving out.

“Hindi pa kami aalis (We’re not leaving yet),” he said.

Ramirez said yesterday the PSC is, in fact, planning “selective rehabilitation” of facilities inside the RMSC, from competition and training venues for aquatics, lawn tennis to badminton to the living quarters of the athletes early next year.