Participants and organizers gather at The Kabilin Center in Barangay Tinago, Cebu City, on July 30, 2026, for the launch and opening ceremony of the Philippines’ first National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage under the Kabilin Partnership Program. – PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KABILIN CENTER
THE KABILIN CENTER, CEBU CITYโTHE KABILIN CENTER, CEBU CITYโThe International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) marked a significant milestone in protecting Philippine cultural heritage against disasters with the opening of the Bantay Kabilin: Pilot Training Program on Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage (DRMCH).
The origins of the program drew from the experiences of ICOMOS Philippines team members who participated in the International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage organized by ICCROM and Ritsumeikan Universityโs Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage (DMUCH). Building upon this foundation, ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI spent one year conducting research, consultations, curriculum development, and coordination with heritage professionals, government agencies, subject matter experts, participating institutions, and cultural heritage sites.
The pilot is being implemented through the partnership between ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI under the Kabilin Partnership Program, with support from The Japan Foundation, Manila, a funding partner of ICOMOS Philippines for the pilot.
The opening brought together leaders from ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI, heritage experts, development partners, and participants representing museums, churches, cultural institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage before, during, and after disasters.
Ms. Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler, President and Chief Executive Officer of RAFI, delivered the keynote address. She emphasized the importance of connecting cultural heritage protection with disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. She encouraged participants to build lasting professional networks and a shared commitment to the future of Philippine heritage.
Ar. Giuseppe Luigi H. Abcede, Trustee of ICOMOS Philippines, delivered his message. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among heritage organizations, government institutions, technical experts, and local communities in translating international conservation principles into practical action. He reaffirmed ICOMOS Philippinesโ commitment to strengthening professional capacity and helping communities protect their heritage from disaster risks.
Ar. Kenneth Tua, PhDAgSci, Chief Project Officer of the Kabilin Partnership Program, recognized Cebu City as an important setting for piloting the training. He encouraged participants to address disaster risks through preparedness, cooperation, and shared responsibility. He also acknowledged the organizations and institutions that contributed to the program.
The opening introduced participants to the learning journey they will undertake throughout the pilot.
Mr. Joselito H. Corpus, Project Director of Bantay Kabilin: DRMCH, presented the program framework, learning methodology, and participant journey. He led the development of the pilot with the ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI project team, guiding its curriculum, modules, subject matter experts, institutional partnerships, case-study sites, lectures, workshops, site visits, and practical outputs. Drawing from his experience in heritage conservation and disaster risk management, he helped adapt international DRMCH principles to Philippine hazards, heritage conditions, and community needs.
Ar. King Rosales, Project Lead, presented the programโs objectives, structure, activities, and expected outcomes. Working closely with the Project Director, he helped coordinate the project team, partners, subject matter experts, participants, institutions, and heritage sites while supporting the programโs day-to-day implementation.
Bantay Kabilin draws upon ICOMOS Philippinesโ technical knowledge, interdisciplinary experience, professional network, and international connections. Through lectures, workshops, case studies, and site visits, participants learn to assess heritage values, hazards, and vulnerabilities and to prepare measures for mitigation, response, recovery, and long-term resilience. Cebu City, with its churches, museums, historic landmarks, traditional communities, and heritage districts, provides a meaningful setting for applying these lessons.
The initiative is supported by RAFI through the Strategic Initiative Grant of its North and Central Portfolio. The Japan Foundation, Manila, a funding partner of ICOMOS Philippines for the pilot, supported the participation of international subject matter experts and the exchange of knowledge within the program. Bantay Kabilin begins a longer effort to develop a nationally relevant training model that integrates cultural heritage conservation with disaster risk management while strengthening community resilience.
SD Training 01: Basics of Heritage and Sustainable Development
13 to 15 August 2025 | The Kabilin Center, Cebu City
ICOMOS Philippines and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. conducted the first Sustainable Development Training under the Pamana 2030: Mobilizing Philippine Heritage as a Driver and Enabler of Sustainable Development initiative. Held at The Kabilin Center in Cebu City, the training brought together RAFI teams, ICOMOS Philippines, heritage workers, and development partners to build a common understanding of how cultural heritage can support sustainable development.
The sessions introduced participants to the wider role of culture and heritage in development work. Discussions looked at how heritage is connected to social inclusion, local economies, environmental care, community resilience, and identity. Participants also engaged with national and international frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippine Development Plan, inputs from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators.
Through lectures, case studies, and group discussions, the training helped show that heritage is not only something to protect or preserve. It can also help communities respond to present needs and plan for the future. Examples from tourism, community mapping, disaster risk management, and heritage management showed how culture can be linked to practical concerns on the ground.
This first training laid the groundwork for the succeeding MPHSD activities. It helped participants move from a general understanding of heritage and sustainability toward a clearer view of how heritage work can be documented, measured, and connected to planning. It also helped establish the shared direction that would later guide the development of indicators and assessment tools under Pamana 2030.
Supporting agencies and representatives:
DepDev / national development planning input: Lester Owen Go, Chief Economic Development Specialist, DepDev Development Research Division
NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office
CIT-U: Engr. Erlyn Ivy O. Rago, Head of the Student Success Office, Cebu Institute of Technology – University
RAFI: Christian Anuta, Director, Program Excellence Group
SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:
Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Gabriel Caballero, MPHSD Project Director
Carmencita Solis, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Facilitator
SD Training 02 Module 1: Designing Indicators and MOVs
22 and 29 January 2026 | Online and In-Person Sessions
Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 1 moved the discussion from general concepts of heritage and sustainable development toward the practical design of indicators and Means of Verification. Held through online and in-person sessions, the module focused on how RAFI’s heritage-related projects could be connected to national cultural policy priorities, especially the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts 2024-2029.
The sessions helped participants look at how each project could identify relevant indicators, available data sources, and possible evidence that can show culture’s contribution to sustainable development using the framework set by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The module introduced the idea that heritage projects need clear measures and documentation so that their social, cultural, economic, and governance contributions can be better understood over time.
Participants worked through the four RAFI project components, namely Casa Gorordo Museum, The Kabilin Center, the National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage, and the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Nino Devotion. Through these discussions, project teams began matching their work with PDP-CA outcomes and identifying what kinds of data could realistically be collected from ongoing project activities.
This module became an important bridge between the first training and the later work on the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators. It helped prepare the teams for deeper indicator development by clarifying what can be measured, what evidence is available, and what still needs to be strengthened in the projects’ monitoring and documentation systems.
Supporting agencies and representatives:
NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office
SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:
Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead
SD Training 02 Module 2: Building the Indicator Foundation
23 February and 5 March 2026 | Online and In-Person Sessions
Following the earlier discussions on heritage and sustainable development, Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 2 focused on building the indicator foundation for the MPHSD initiative. The module helped connect wider cultural monitoring frameworks with the ongoing work of RAFI, the Kabilin Partnership, and CEBloom Operations.
The sessions introduced the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators and explored how these could be applied to RAFIโs heritage-related projects. Building on previous discussions, participants looked at how international frameworks could help guide the process of measuring cultureโs contribution to sustainable development.
One important part of the module was the discussion on Baguio Cityโs experience with the Culture 2030 Indicators. This example helped participants see how cultural data and heritage indicators can be used in an actual local applications. Participants also worked through RAFIโs own project data from four initiatives: Casa Gorordo Museum, The Kabilin Center, the National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage, and the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niรฑo Devotion.
Through breakout sessions, participants identified possible indicators, reviewed available data sources, and reflected on how each project contributes to broader development outcomes. This module marked an important step in moving from broad ideas into more practical indicator work. It helped prepare the ground for a common assessment framework that can support reporting, learning, and planning across the Kabilin Partnership.
Supporting agencies and representatives:
Baguio Culture 2030 Indicators experience: Dr. Raymond Rovillos, College President III of Pangasinan Polytechnic College and former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Baguio
SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:
Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales for ICHSN, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead
SD Training 02 Module 3: Consolidating and Institutionalizing the Framework
23 to 24 March 2026 | The Kabilin Center, Cebu City
Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 3 brought together the work developed in the earlier sessions and focused on consolidating the MPHSD indicator framework. Held in person at The Kabilin Center, the module gathered participants from the Kabilin Partnership, RAFI, CEBloom Operations, and ICOMOS Philippines to refine how heritage-related project outcomes could be linked to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
The session focused on making the methodology more practical for long-term use. Using the inputs from the earlier modules, participants worked toward a common framework that connected local project outcomes with RAFIโs MEAL plans, while also aligning with the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts and the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators. This helped show how local heritage work can contribute to wider national and international development conversations.
The module also included discussions on impact scoring, policy alignment, and the updated Cultural Heritage Assessment Methodology. Case examples from the four RAFI projects helped participants test how the framework could apply to different types of heritage work, including museums, cultural facilities, training programs, and intangible cultural heritage initiatives. These discussions helped clarify how indicators could be prioritized, scored, and used for reporting and decision-making.
By the end of the module, the MPHSD work had moved closer to a working system for tracking how heritage contributes to sustainable development. The session also helped prepare the direction for the first MPHSD publication, which will continue the process of documenting, reviewing, and refining the knowledge produced through the trainings. Through this module, the Kabilin Partnership continued to show that heritage is not only cultural work, but also development work.
NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office and Rhea Lyn H. Dela Cruz, Culture and Arts Officer, Regional Exchange Unit
SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:
Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Gabriel Caballero, MPHSD Project Director
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales for ICHSN, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead
On August 12, 2024, the closing ceremony for the year-long heritage recovery project in Vigan was held at Tadena Hall, University of Northern Philippines. This event marked the culmination of a significant collaborative effort between the expert conservation teams, stakeholders of Vigan, the local government, local cultural institutions, tradespersons, contractors, technicians, and most especially the local homeowners, which was initiated in response to the devastating Northwestern Luzon Earthquake of 2022. The project, funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), aimed to enhance the technical standards for the conservation and protection of Viganโs historic structures, particularly its vernacular ancestral homes.
One of the projectโs key achievements was the capacity-building initiative for local contractors, tradespersons, and technicians. Through a series of lectures and workshops, participants were familiarized with traditional construction materials and techniques, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity in conservation interventions. This effort was crucial, especially given the reliance on modern construction techniques that are often incompatible with Viganโs historic structures.
The project also highlighted the importance of community involvement and partnership. ICOMOS Philippines successfully campaigned for the project as an act of positive, communal participation, attracting generous donations and in-kind contributions that also led this project to attain another major accomplishment. For the allocation of $105,500 or โฑ 5,802,500 by the UNESCO and HEF donors, this amount was matched by private in-kind contributors who donated pro-bono services amounting to $111,433 or โฑ 6,128,814. The in-kind contributions gave the project a greater impact towards the recovery of Vigan.
The success of the project is not just a milestone in heritage conservation but a foundation for future efforts to conserve and protect the cultural heritage of Vigan and beyond. A forward-looking vision for greater resilience that captures the essence of what this project has achieved and what it aspires to accomplish in the future.
This activity was supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the United Kingdom, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Estonia, ANA Holdings INC, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Serbia.
Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales stirred the discussion with onsite participants. She moderated the open forum of the panel taking in questions from the diverse audience composed of other cultural workers and local heritage advocates.
ICOMOS Philippines led a panel discussion at the 2024 National Conference on Local History and Heritage (NCLHH) last August 29, 2024, in the Ayala Museum, Makati City. The panel with the title Heritage Conservation Practices in the Philippines was chaired and moderated by Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, PhD, and was composed of Ms. Maria Cristina Paterno, Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, and LAr. Gabriel Caballero.
Ms. Maria Cristina P. Paterno, Immediate Past President of ICOMOS Philippines and Projects Manager of Preserving Legacies presented โClimate Vulnerability Assessment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces: Preserving Legacies, A Future for Our Past.โ She shared the findings and experience of the recently published study that looked into the values of the terraces for the local communities and how these values, rooted in Indigenous knowledge, are impacted by climate change, as well as contribute to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity as they try to preserve and protect their cultural heritage by integrating modern climate science.
Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, Vice President of ICOMOS Philippines and Country Director of the UNESCO-Heritage Emergency Fund project for the Historic City of Vigan presented โSaluad-Tawid: Conserving and Protecting Heritage Houses and Structures in the Historic City of Vigan After the 2022 Earthquake.โ The recently concluded project provided valuable lessons for disaster risk management for cultural heritage and working in a multi-stakeholder environment.
LAr. Gabriel Victor A. Caballero, Focal Point for the United Nationโs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ICOMOS International presented โPamana 2030: Local Case Profiles on Philippine Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals.โ He presented selected efforts by the ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG) to document heritage initiatives that intersect with SDGs.
Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, PhD, gave a short presentation about the upcoming initiative to document and safeguard the heritage of the devotion to the Santo Niรฑo de Cebรบ in partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), one of the three landmark projects under the โKabilin Partnershipโ with ICOMOS Philippines.
Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales stirred the discussion with onsite participants. She moderated the open forum of the panel taking in questions from the diverse audience composed of other cultural workers and local heritage advocates.
We in ICOMOS Philippines express our sincere gratitude and congratulations to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the organizers of the conference for the opportunity to share our work and on-ground experience towards a respected heritage profession in the country, and Philippine heritage that is conserved to the highest standards. We look forward to taking part again in the next NCLHH Conference.
Built in 1912, the Girlsโ Dormitory is the first school building of the Mission of St. Mary the Virgin in Sagada. It played an essential role in the education of the children of the Cordilleras as it served as the first school building in the area from 1912 until 1951. An example of American-Philippine Colonial architectural style, the structure is currently unoccupied and under rehabilitation.
A product of collaboration between ICOMOS Philippines and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, the Conservation Assessment of the Mission Compound Girls Dormitory by ICOMOS Philippines member Ar. Aris Go of Ninety Design Studio is a detailed example of doing proper conservation assessment which analyzes multiple facets of the heritage structure including architectural, material, and structural condition, and provides sound recommendations drawn from data.
This Ifugao-led study is a climate vulnerability assessment of the rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The assessment establishes why local communities value the terraces, and how these values, deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge, are impacted by climate change. The end goal is for communities to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity as they position to preserve and protect their cultural heritage.
Data was gathered by several focus group discussions among farmers in Nagacadan Hungduan, Mayoyao, Bangaan and Batad. This approach ensures the collection of critical data that truly reflects the lived experiences and needs of the indigenous Ifugao people. The assessment utilizes modern climate science and indigenous knowledge, as both realms of understanding are complementary and necessary to address the climate crisis more effectively.
The Ifugao Rice Terraces confront a web of climate challenges such as intensified typhoons, erratic precipitation patterns, prolonged droughts and increasing temperatures, which pose imminent risk of soil erosion, reduced crop yield or crop loss, landslides, and structural damage to the terraces. This threatens their ecological integrity, agricultural productivity, amplifies existing vulnerabilities, and can jeopardize the sustainability of this cultural landscape.
Last March 2024, marked the third quarter of the implementation of the first Heritage Emergency Fund [HEF] granted to the Republic of the Philippines by UNESCO.
UNESCO Jakarta under the leadership of Moe Chiba, Culture Unit Head, and Rizky Fardhyan, Project Coordinator, visited Vigan City to observe and support the activities spurred by the HEF. Their visit coincided with events around Vigan from the 11th to 13th of March, and they witnessed major milestones achieved by expert team, visiting and local students and professors, and the stakeholders of Vigan.
One activity was the HEF capacity-building training program whose audience were the homeowner’s, custodians, contractors, technicians, tradespersons and other concerned stakeholders of the WHS Historic City of Vigan. Not only were they given lectures about Vigan specific topics, but they were also involved in a hands-on workshop to try their hand at mixing lime mortar and also attempting traditional joinery.
Another highlight were the activities at Tadena Hall at University of Northern Philippines where Hong Kong University and University of the Northern students presented their documentation of fifteen priority ancestral vernacular houses that they completed in about a week with the aide of digital documentation.
Lastly, there was Town Hall Meeting where homeowners and local stakeholders had an open forum to discuss the challenges of recovery and also how to move forward as a community sustainably and effectively.
This activity was supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Estonia, ANA Holdings INC, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Serbia.
Concerned stakeholders who are interested in providing in-kind contribution, you may contact Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, Country Project Director, through kenneth.javier.tua@icomosphilippines.com and cc.: info@icomosphilippines.com. Letโs protect and promote our diverse cultural heritage together.
Being inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list requires the coordination of committed stakeholders to nominate a site. The process is a painstaking endeavor which requires a detailed and well-organized document called a nomination file. The file then is scrutinized by a series of bodies and committees. They will decide if the property meets the criteria for a prestigious World Heritage Site inscription. From end to end, it is a community-based process that shows that stakeholders are willing and able to commit to safeguarding the inscribed property. However, although complex, inscription is just one process and keeping that status is another.
Maintenance of World Heritage Site status in the Philippines is a daunting task in an environment where earthquakes, typhoons and fire are frequent occurrences. Since World Heritage properties are ultimately the responsibility of the stakeholders, they must strive to maintain the siteโs exceptional significance, authenticity, and integrity. Some benefits from stakeholder involvement is a sense of ownership, a pride of place and a closer-knit community. These core values are what truly sustain the World Heritage Site and ensure their existence in the future.
UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta paid a courtesy visit from December 10 – 12, 2023 to the Historic City of Vigan. Director Ms. Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa and Mr. Rizky Fardhyan were able to inspect the heritage core of the city to note the extent of damage of the earthquake of July 2022. They paid a courtesy call and met with Mayor โBonitoโ C. Singsong, Jr., a key stakeholder and focal person, to brief the purpose of the present restoration efforts and to strengthen its collaboration with the City of Vigan. UNESCO Jakarta reaffirmed its support and willingness to engage in further recovery discussions.
A Courtesy Call by UNESCO Jakarta, ICOMOS Philippines and Local Stakeholders was paid to the Office of the Mayor, โBonitoโ C. Singson, Jr., (Photo Credit: ICOMOS Philippines, John Ray Ramos
Director Katsuno-Hayashikawa emphasized the importance of site visits to understand the local context through actual observation of conditions on the ground. This allows UNESCO to assess if the scope of work [Heritage Emergency Fundโs project for the Historic City of Vigan] is appropriate and is progressing well – also, to anticipate any further issues that may need exploration or response.
The visit was of the utmost importance for UNESCO Jakarta so that they could observe Viganโs stakeholder involvement and their cooperation in all the activities. Although there is some funding in place and some specialists involved, it is through the collective work of the local stakeholders that the Historic City of Vigan will be, in due course, restored. Without active local stakeholderโs participation, these efforts would be performed in a vacuum without any real and sustainable impacts for which the funds promote.
Burnay Jars, left: Collapsed Kiln of a Ruby Jar Factory, right: RG Jar Factory Kiln (Photo Credit: ICOMOS Philippines, Kenneth Javier Tua, left photo, and from LGU Vigan, Ar. Christian Nico Pilotin, right photo)
Weavers of Inabel: Member of Vigan Conservation Council and one of the experts of the UNESCO-ICOMOS Philippines team – Ar. / EnP. Fatima Nicetas Rabang-Alonzo consulting with local weaver on the status of livelihood after pandemic and the 2022 earthquake (Photo Credit: ICOMOS Philippines, Kenneth Javier Tua)
At the heart of every program of UNESCO is that โall the key stakeholders engage from the outset [as] a top priority.โ These partnerships are the bedrock of any engagement with UNESCO. The relationship emphasizes the importance of common purpose, mutual accountability, and a willingness to share risks as well as the benefits. These successful partnerships strengthen the impact of UNESCO’s programs.
Country Project Director Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua and Project Management Team member explore Masonry Failure at the Cabildo (Old) House (Photo credit: ICOMOS Philippines, John Ray Ramos)
Among the outputs that speak directly to the recovery efforts in Vigan is stakeholder capacity-building. Aligning with UNESCO’s objectives, this is empowering the locals to understand and implement the policies of the World Heritage Convention. This strengthens another objective, which is the proper restoration of the Historic City of Vigan. Moving towards recovery, this fosters internal and external communication that builds knowledge, awareness, involvement, and support. Then, the community works together and contributes collaboratively towards a balanced testimony of cultural properties of outstanding universal value.
Inspection by both local and ICOMOS expert teams of earthquake damage and temporary shoringย (Photo credit: Ar. Christian Nico Pilotin of LGU Vigan)
The courtesy visit coincided with Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) expert teams from ICOMOS Philippines who are collaborating with local architects, material specialists and engineers. Seeing the relationship and mutual engagement demonstrated the importance of planning, coordination, and transparency in exploring solutions that uphold the significance of the site.
The stakeholders, particularly the homeowners, showed a keen interest in comprehending the procedures and tests being conducted. Their cooperation proved instrumental in granting the specialist teams access to the houses, facilitating the mapping of damage, and pinpointing potential causes of deterioration. The Local Government Unit of Vigan actively responded to inquiries from UNESCO Jakarta, narrating their own personal experiences and showcasing their progress made on the path to recovery.
Maโam Maria Milagros โMitosโ P. Belofsky of Syquia Mansion narrated the story of the Syquia Mansion [and exchanged experiences ongoing restoration work] with UNESCO Jakarta Director Ms. Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa and Mr. Rizky Fardhyan, and Country Project Director Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua (ICOMOS Philippines, John Ray Ramos)
Notably, the Syquia Mansion underwent intensive activities to bolster the structure and preserve its historical significance by addressing considerable damage to the walls, ceilings, and the floor joists. The local stakeholders employed extensive shoring throughout the building. Of high importance were the stakeholders’ stories about the history of the building and its collections, and how they were maintained until the earthquake of 2022.
This collaborative effort between the Local Government Unit of Vigan, UNESCO Jakarta, and ICOMOS Philippines aims to revitalize the Historic City of Vigan sustainably. Although much destruction was wrought by the earthquake, restoration is actively underway; and, by working together, all partners seek to work synergistically to ensure the cityโs ongoing authenticity and significance as a World Heritage Site.
On October 23, 2023, a landmark initiative unfolded in the Historic City of Vigan, Philippines, as UNESCO Jakarta, in collaboration with ICOMOS Philippines and with the vital support of the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), launched a year-long project dedicated to safeguarding of the Historic City of Vigan. The local governmental unit, under the helm of Mayor Jose “Bonito” C. Singson, Jr., welcomed the UNESCO-ICOMOS Philippines project teams and local stakeholders.
The scope of the project concentrates on two pilot sites which represent common building types in Vigan. The two homes identified by ICOMOS Philippines are the Syquia Mansion and the Cabildo Old House. Enthusiastically, the very same day that the HEF was inaugurated ICOMOS Philippines had already started onsite analytic activities which marked the inaugural implementation of the HEF initiative in the Philippines, underlining its significance in addressing the aftermath of such calamities.
Please see the article in the Philippine Star Lifestyle and Arts section. Read here โก๏ธ https://bitly.ws/33hPK
This activity is supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Estonia, ANA Holdings INC, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Serbia.
Concerned stakeholders who are interested in providing in-kind contribution, you may contact Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, Country Project Director, through kenneth.javier.tua@icomosphilippines.com and cc.: info@icomosphilippines.com. Letโs protect and promote our diverse cultural heritage together.
On November 10, 2023 the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI) held a conference entitled โBeyond Green: Transcending Green Summit.โ
Ar. Giuseppe Luigi Hernandez Abcede introduced the first cluster of speakers. ICOMOS Focal Point to the United Nationsโ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), L. Ar. Gabriel Victor Caballero gave a brief overview on what entails sustainable practices. He focused on design and planningโ whether it was in heritage conservation practices, local culture, compliance to Sustainable Development Goals, or in circular economies such as furniture design.
Representing PIID, ICOMOS, HCS (the 1st cluster of speakers) respectively. IDr. Lilia De Jesus, IDr. Willie Garcia, Ar. Michaela Rosette Santos-Tayag, L. Ar. Gabriel Victor Caballero, EnP. Denise Lagrosa, Ar. Giuseppe Luigi Hernandez Abcede, Ar. Dinky von Einsiedel
En. P. Denise Lagrosa remarked, โThe conference was well represented by professionals who are practicing energy efficiency, sustainability, green design, heritage and culturally sensitive methods from the engineers, architects, urban planners, cultural heritage professional, master plumbers, air-conditioning systems specialists, and fire protection, among others.โ
Dr. Cheek Fadriquela, ICOMOS President, delivering remarks during summit
Along with ICOMOS Member L. Ar. Gabriel Victor Caballero, Ar. Giuseppe Luigi Hernandez Abcede and En. P. Denise Lagrosa, Ar. Michaela Rosette Santos-Tayag (long-time member of PGBI) and Ar. Michael Angelo Liwanag, ICOMOS Phโs /representative to the Philippine Green Building Initiative, were also in attendance.
ICOMOS Philippines is a partner and fellow organizer with PGBI for the Beyond Green summit.
