The Intendencia / Aduana in Intramuros, Manila

One of the few surviving structures in Intramuros, Manila  from the Spanish colonial period and which was still in use  just over 30 years ago was the Aduana  (hence the street name and its proximity to the river) building and later became the Intendencia which  also at some point in time, housed the Casa Moneda.

The  photo above was taken during the American colonial regime. Notice the flag on the second floor near the central balcony.

This was the Spanish era Customhouse (Aduana) before it transferred across the river. Then it was made into the office of the Civil Administration or Intendencia and as mentioned, became the Casa Moneda or mint. But I’m not sure if both the civil administration office shared the building at the same time when it was also used as a mint.

After the Spanish colonial regime, it was also used as a mint under the Americans. When the Intendencia functioned as such under American rule, they struck what is known as the Wilson dollar which was actually  a commemorative medal.  The Wilson “dollar” was struck to mark or commemorate the opening of the Manila mint, it was the only facility to operate as such outside the continental United States. Please refer to this link for its history and photos- http://www.michigancoinclub.org/Bieda_Wilson.html. This is sought after by both Philippine and American numismatist and  accordingly ranges from scarce to rare.

Another set of commemorative coins, this time real coins in that they have assigned denominations of 1 Peso and 50 centavos. These set of coins is also sought after by Philippine and even by US numismatist. It is the Quezon-Roosevelt and Quezon-Murphy coins. These were struck at the Manila mint (Intendencia) to commemorate the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth and the Inauguration of Manuel L.  Quezon as president. There are three varieties, two P1.00 coins and one  50 centavos coin. Both P1.00 coins shows the bust of Quezon and one variety shows the bust of Roosevelt and the other, the bust of Murphy. The 50 centavo coin shows the bust of Quezon and Murphy. The coins that where minted here had on the reverse side the mint mark of M for Manila.

1^st coin from ebay and 2^nd coin photo from a collector.

What makes this set of coins unique for me was that the design on the border of the edge of these coins for both the obverse and reverse is the bamboo.

Another interesting story or rumor about this heritage building was that it was said that then Senate President Quezon was jealous that House Speaker Osmeña had his office at the Ayuntamiento which had the Salon de Marmol and which was reputedly the more beautiful and historically important  building. And being the Senate President a post considered higher than that of the House Speaker, I guess Quezon preferred the Ayuntamiento over the Intendencia.

During  the post war years, the Intendencia building  was also used by the Bangko Sentral (Central Bank) but I’m not sure if it was  used as a mint since our currency back then as far as I know, were minted abroad. So in its long history, the Intendencia’s use and function has something to do with money and under three different ruling governments.

First Day Cover courtesy of Lawrence Chan and Filipinas Stamp Collector’s Club

The Intendencia or Aduana was gutted by fire about 30 years ago.

A Monument to King Philip II of Spain Across the Intendencia

The beauty of this building is in its simplicity of Neo-Classical lines and in its symmetry which gives it a dignified look even in its current state.

If I recall it correctly, it was back in 1997 that the Intendencia was covered or fenced in with either plywood or GI sheets and it was lit at night with flood lights. It was supposed to be restored and be the home of the National Archives. That was more than a decade ago.

I wonder how much damage this building have sustained  and how much more it can take by being in its present condition with its stone exposed, being used formerly as a shooting location sometimes even with explosions as effects for the film shoot and large cargo trucks passing by it. This heritage structure in Intramuros must have the most motorized traffic volume in its vicinity.

We all know that this is the future home of the National Archives. It has been 30 years since that plan was conceived. The historic building and its architectural style will be a  fitting  home for  the National Archives of the Philippines. The question is, when will it be a reality?