REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1607 - AN ACT DECLARING INTRAMUROS A COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT, REPEALING FOR THAT PURPOSE COMMONWEALTH ACT NUMBERED ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE AND REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. With the exception of historic spots therein, the district of Intramuros, known also as the Walled City, in the City of Manila, is hereby declared a commercial, residential and educational district. All buildings to be constructed hereafter in said district on lots owned by private persons and entities shall be designed for residences, business establishments, offices, schools, colleges, and universities: Provided, That nothing contained in this section shall be construed to preclude the construction or reconstruction of the old churches and convents in the said district.

SEC. 2. The City Engineer of Manila, with the cooperation of the National Planning Commission or its successors, shall draft the necessary plans for the widening of streets in the Walled City as hereinbelow specified:

Cabildo, 26 meters wide; General Luna, 17 meters wide; and Real, 21 meters wide.

SEC. 3. Any wall of Intramuros or a part thereof may be opened at any point where it is necessary for the extension or widening of any street therein: Provided, That such opening shall be as wide as the traversing street.

SEC. 4. The City Engineer of Manila shall designate and determine for purposes of acquisition or expropriation the lot or lots affected by the said widening of streets in accordance with the plans prepared by him.

SEC. 5. Fort Santiago is hereby declared a national shrine to be known as the "Dambana ng Kalayaan" in memory of Rizal and other national heroes and martyrs who were confined or who lost their lives therein.

Said Fort shall be reconstructed as closely as possible along the lines of the original structure.

SEC. 6. Due to their historical significance, portions of the walls, bastions, and gates partially damaged may be reconstructed and portions of the walls, bastions and gates extensively damaged may be preserved and properly landscaped and maintained.

SEC. 7. The Parian bastion and its immediate vicinities may be converted into an open-air amphitheater where shows, specially those depicting Philippine culture and traditions, may be held.

SEC. 8. The sum of five hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the provisions of sections five and seven hereof.

SEC. 9. Commonwealth Act Numbered One hundred seventy-one and Republic Act Numbered Five hundred ninety-seven are repealed.

SEC. 10. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, August 23, 1956.