Pasig City’s history and heritage has been made more accessible thanks to the local government and the Kabataang Tambuli ng Pasig (KTP)’s Talking Walls Project, an initiative that utilizes “Quick Response” (QR) code technology to access information about the city’s cultural landmarks.

Through the project, QR-based markers have been installed in spots within eight identified historical sites in the city.

These sites include the Cenotaph of Gat Andres Bonifacio, Fortunato Concepcion Mansion – Pasig City Museum, Bitukang Manok, the Tech Residence – Bahay na Tisa, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Plaza Rizal, Colegio del Buen Consejo, and the Beaterio de Sta. Rita de Pasig.

By scanning the QR codes, citizens and tourists are directed to the Pasig Memorya site where they can learn about the site’s brief history, it’s importance, as well as explore the narratives contributed by Pasigueños regarding the area.

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According to Jared Echevarria, the Executive Council Member of the KTP, the idea for the project was motivated by the fact that the majority of tourists in Pasig were locals who previously lived in the city.

They visit Pasig during the Holy Week or the Christmas season to roam the landmarks and share their past experiences as former residents of the city to their relatives, he said.

The Talking Walls Project enables visitors to also upload their own personal stories, narratives, pictures, and eyewitness accounts to the Memorya database via the QR markers.

All eight sites are located in the city’s “heritage belt.” Tourists can roam and visit the landmarks in just two to three hours, Echevarria said. The spots are also at a walking distance to each other.

Tourists can scan the QR markers at the sites any time of the day.

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The project was formally inaugurated on Friday, Dec. 30, coinciding with the nationwide celebration of Rizal Day.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Congressman Roman Romulo, members of the 11th City Council, and officials from the KTP, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the private sector, as well as the heads and caretakers of the historical sites included in the project attended the short program and ceremonial scanning of the QR markers.

In his speech, Sotto lauded the KTP for initiating the project. He ensured the group and other stakeholders that the local government will continue to support projects that will promote Pasig City’s rich heritage.

“We hope, in this way, we [can] help develop the local economy and local tourism, generate jobs and economic activity. More importantly, [we hope to] also reconnect our citizens, especially our youth, to the history and culture of our beloved city,” Sotto said.

The mayor stressed the cultural and historical importance of these kinds of cultural mapping programs, as well as its local economic benefits.

“Worldwide, mahigit 10 percent na mga bagong trabahong nalilikha ay related sa local at cultural tourism. Kung hindi po natin kukunin ang pagkakataon na ito, kung hindi natin palalaguin ang local tourism sa Pasig, ang laki po ng bulto ng economic growth and development ay mami-miss out po natin (Over 10 percent of new jobs created worldwide are related to local and cultural tourism. If we don’t take this opportunity to improve our local tourism sector, we will miss out on a big bulk of the city’s economic growth and development),” he added.

After the QR Codes project, Sotto said the local government is eyeing the development and improvement of walking tours and launching tricycle tours for tourists in the coming years.