Anda Circle

Anda Circle, also known as Rotonda Anda, is a roundabout located at the boundary of Intramuros and Port Area in central Manila, Philippines. It is an interchange system at the junction of Bonifacio Drive, Mel Lopez Boulevard, Andres Soriano Avenue (formerly Calle Aduana), and Roberto Oca Street, and serves as a prominent gateway to the walled city of Intramuros. Inside the circle are two levels of octagonal enclosures which forms the perimeter of the monument erected in honor of Simón de Anda y Salazar. Anda was appointed as Governor General of the Philippines from 1770 to October 30, 1776.[1]

Anda Circle
Rotonda Anda
Location
Intramuros and Port Area, Manila, Philippines
Coordinates	14.5909°N 120.9708°E / 14.5909; 120.9708
Roads at junction	Bonifacio Drive Mel Lopez Boulevard Andres Soriano Avenue Roberto Oca Street
Construction
Type	Roundabout
Maintained by	Department of Public Works and Highways

Anda Monument

The Anda Monument (left), at its original position near the Pasig River, c. 1899

Anda Monument

The original monument was erected in 1871[2] near the Pasig River under the order of then Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre as a form of public gratitude to Simón de Anda for his initiative in the resistance against the British occupation of Manila which began in 1762.[1] It was heavily damaged during World War II when the Japanese occupied Manila.

After the war, the monument was moved to its present location along Bonifacio Drive and was retransformed into a monument circle.[3] Then President Carlos P. Garcia recounted Anda's heroism and defense of Filipinos against Spanish abuses in his turn over speech on June 8, 1957.[1]

At present, the Anda Monument shows many signs of vandalism.

Planned relocation

In September 2014, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced its plan to dismantle Anda Monument and convert the roundabout it into a regular intersection in order to ease the traffic congestion along Bonifacio Drive, the main thoroughfare for trucks going to and from the Port of Manila.[4] The highways department also recommended relocating the monument in order to protect it from damage from possible accidents. The plan was accepted by the National Historical Commission and coordinated with the department for its transfer back to its original location in Plaza Maestranza within Intramuros near the Pasig River.[4] However the moving of the monument didn't push through.

In February 2016, the DPWH said that the plan was cancelled citing opposition from heritage conservationist led by National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Senator Pia Cayetano to such plans.[5]

References

1. Garcia, Carlos P. (June 8, 1957). "Speech of President Garcia at turn over rites of Simon de Anda monument at the Port Area, Sunday Morning, June 8, under auspices of the Manila Lions". Official Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2014. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
2. Filipinas Heritage Library Catalog Archived September 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
3. Alcazaren, Paulo. Rotundas: Circles of urban life Philstar. Published: July 14, 2001
4. "Historical sites yield to dev't and progress". Manila Standard Today. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
5. Antonio, Raymund (6 February 2016). "Anda Circle stays – DPWH exec". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 6 February 2016.