Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It’s official and on paper: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is now the proud owner of the Metropolitan Theater (Met Theater) in Manila.
The NCCA signed the Deed of Absolute Sale on Wednesday (June 10) at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) office.
The two government bodies involved in the transaction were represented by their respective heads, Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. and Robert Vergara, president and general manager of the GSIS.
The purchase of the Met Theater is the first of many steps in a conservation effort that will be spearheaded by the NCCA.
Although detailed plans have yet to be released by the government’s arts and culture arm, the NCCA “envisions a restored Met to become a center for arts and culture.”
Aside from performance spaces, the “new” Met Theater is expected to house exhibition galleries — all open for use by artists and cultural workers, as well as the general public.
The Met Theater was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and a National Cultural Treasure in 2010.
Secretary Florencio Abad of the Department of Budget and Management was also present during the signing on Wednesday.
He previously announced the release of P270 million to the NCCA for the Met Theater restoration.
Related: NCCA gets P270 million as part of Met Theater restoration
