The Vigan Master Plan

In 1990, the people and the municipal government of Vigan came u with Ordinance No. 5 setting the boundaries of the protected zone within the historic core and providing clauses for the protection of the historic buildings similar to those of national laws enacted in the 1970s. Ordinance Nos. 12 and 14 were also enacted in 1997 defining the core and buffer zones of the historic town, and providing the guidelines for its conservation respectively. Ordinance No. 5, series of 1999 also redefined the boundaries of the core and buffer zones. Recently, the municipal government also came out with Ordinance No. 4, series of 2000, enacting the preservation and conservation guidelines for Vigan ancestral houses.

With its cultural and historical significance, Vigan was recognized as a major tourism priority for development by the World Tourism Organization/UNDP Philippine Tourism Master Plan, European Community Technical Assistance Project for the Tourism Sector, Northwestern Luzon Growth Quadrangle Master Plan, and Tourism Master Development Plan for Region I. Vigan was also nominated three times for the UNESCO World Heritage List and was finally included in on December 2, 1999.

In 1996, the Philippine Government requested the Government of Spain to provide technical assistance in identifying specific projects for the revitalization of this historic center not only as a tourist attraction but most importantly as a national treasure of the Hispanic legacy to the Philippines.

The Memorandum of Agreement for the Formulation of a Master Development Plan for the Revitalization of the Historic Center of Vigan was finally signed on March 23, 1999.
The Vigan Master Plan Project, as it is now popularly known, started in April 1999 and was completed in April 2001.

The Vigan Master Plan Project was meant to foster development by promoting the preservation and conservation of the Filipino historical and cultural heritage and resources for the appreciation of its history and culture; developing tourism along the lines of conserving the socio-cultural heritage, preserving the environment and sustaining development; and contributing to the enhancement of the quality of life of all the inhabitants of Vigan.

Strategically, the Master Plan was formulated to revitalize of the historic town of Vigan; enhance knowledge in crafts/skills which are relevant to revitalization and ecologically sustainable livelihood; come up with a concept on packaging and promoting the Vigan Heritage Village with other tourism destinations within the province and Region I in order to ensure its position in the region’s tourism market; and formulate viable investment strategies for pursuing development in the study area.

The Master Plan has 10 Project Components, namely, Physical Development Planning, Socio-Cultural Aspect, Socio-Economic Aspect, Ecology and Environmental Aspect, Legal Aspect, Financial Aspect, Project Development, Institutional Aspect, Collaboration between the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and the Master Plan, and the Vigan Culture and Trade Center.

As a Physical Development Planning tool, the VMP can be used to assess the town’s situation as regards to individual buildings, structures, open spaces, land use, traffic, etc., and to present recommendations on such as well as on infrastructure and services.

On the socio-cultural aspect, the VMP can be used to identify the various stakeholders and special interest groups, and elicit their comments on and recommendations for development projects which are congruent with the conservation of culture and environment.
As a socio-economic tool, the VMP can be used to conduct an inventory of the existing livelihood activities, crafts, cottage industries, talents/skills and cooperatives, and recommend short, medium and long-term projects that will promote and enhance such.

The VMP also has the capacity to assess the health and sanitation situation as well as the carrying capacity of the historic center, and recommend appropriate policy reforms and legislation ecology and environmental aspect the VMP can. The Legal Aspect of the Plan can make an inventory of the existing laws, government rules, regulations and ordinances on restoration and conservation, and draft legislation in furtherance of such policies for the consideration of the government’s legislative branch. On the Financial Aspect a financing scheme can be developed for the rehabilitation program that is focused on fund-sourcing, payback, cost recovery and guarantee mechanisms. As a tool for Project Development, it can be used to prepare proposals for viable and sustainable livelihood projects, and identify and prioritize structures/areas for possible and immediate rehabilitation.

Institutionally, the appropriate organization can be determined, including its functions and composition, that will regulate and monitor the implementation and continuity of the projects and programs established by the Master Plan, as well as to determine institutional mechanisms that will ensure the participation of all the stakeholders and thereby also ensure the sustainability and autonomous growth of the project areas. Another aspect is the Collaboration between the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and the Master Plan. The Medina administration, recognizing the importance of the university as a center for excellence and critical thinking, tapped the UNP to assist in setting the master plan’s direction and provide human as well as material resources for the project. The last but significant aspect is the restoration of a public building which will be the training, trade and exhibition center for local culture, arts and crafts, and which will house the Municipal and Tourism Information Offices is now being undertaken, the Vigan Culture and Trade Center.

The main Agencies Involved in the Vigan Master Plan Project were the Municipal Government of Vigan,
the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, the Vigan Heritage Village Commission, the Department of Tourism, Fundación Santiago and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional

The Vigan Community was tasked to be an active participant in the promotion of public awareness of the local and global significance of Vigan as a World Heritage Site; help ensure the historical and cultural value of Vigan by engaging in ecologically sustainable livelihood; enhance the vibrant community life of Vigan by building on the artistic and cultural traditions not only of Vigan but also of the Ilocos.

The formulation of the Master Plan was funded by the Government of Spain and the Government of the Philippines, with Fundacion Santiago as the project fund holder.

The Vigan Master Plan Office is at the 2nd Floor of the Leona Florentino House at # 1 Mena Crisologo St., Vigan, Ilocos Sur with Telefax: (63) (77) 722-1148.

Source: www.vigancity.gov.ph