Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council CONSERVATION PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ILOILO CITY HERITAGE STRUCTURES AND SITES Program Review and Recommendation Paper Isaiah S. Cabañero & Cecilio Coloma IV iscabanero@up.edu.ph1, colomacecilioiv@gmail.com CD 131: COMMUNIT Y DEVELOPMENT PLA NNING A ND A DMINIST RA T ION College of Social W ork and Community Development University of the Philippines - Diliman 23 MA Y 2017 BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAM The Conservation Planning and Development for Iloilo City Heritage Structures and Sites is a government program led by the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC) under the administration of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog. The ICCHCC is responsible for the promulgation and implementation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Downtown Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Zone, as directed by Executive Order No. 46, Series of 2009, signed by then-City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas. This is in pursuant of Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Heritage Conservation Ordinance of Iloilo City , that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Iloilo in order to conserve cultural heritage and legacy buildings in the City of Iloilo through the creation of the ICCHCC. The ICCHCC was created by a group of citizens desiring to arrest the continuing decay of heritage buildings and the decline of cultural appreciation amongst the youth (Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, 2012), back in the years during the term of former City Mayor Mansueto A. Malabor. Through a consultative public consultation then, the mission and vision of the council was formed and instituted, with the aim to make the city the Heritage Capital of the Visayas . Tracing the long and rich history of Iloilo all the way back to the 13th century, according to the Legend of Maragtas, Iloilo then, the southern part of the island of Panay, was home to the indigenous Aeta kingdom of King Marikudo and Queen Maniwangtiwang before the arrival of the Bornean datus who sailed the seas in their biniday sea -sailing boats, escaping the tyrannical rule of then-Sultan Makatunaw in the island of Borneo. Upon arrival, atop the Imbidayan Rock in present-day Barangay Sinogbuhan in the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo, a barter between the said Bornean datus and the Aeta King Marikudo took place to enable the Bornean datus to establish new settlements in the island, with King Marikudo giving complete control of the lowlands of Panay to the Bornean datus in exchange of a golden saduk, a golden manangyad, gold, and other sorts of gifts from the Bornean datus. The Aeta king and his kingdom retired to the mountains of Madja -as in the central west region of the island and resettled there, while the Bornean datus settled in the lowlands, as agreed, then eventually expanded their settlements all throughout the rest of the island. Datu Paiburong, one among the Bornean datus then, took charge of the Sakup of Irong-irong, the area described as a tongue of land that sticks out like a nose (Province of Iloilo, 2017) to the south of the Iloilo River. Some hundreds of years later, in 1566, the Spanish colonizers, led by Miguel López de Legazpi, came into the island, subjugating the native inhabitants that now populated the area, and established a colonial outpost in the town of Oton. Subsequent Dutch, British, 1 and Moro attacks ensued in the decades that followed, prompting the growing colonial government in the island, in 1616, to build a fortress and barracks for its civil guards in an area near the mouth of Iloilo River called La Punta , strengthened and solidified it further to become a full-bodied fort and now present-day Fort San Pedro in the City Proper District of Iloilo City, to defend the entire area from the said and future attacks. This secured long-term peace and stability in Iloilo for decades to come, transforming then the subsistence farming economy to commercial textile production ”University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies, 2015) by the middle of 18th century. In 1855, the Port of Iloilo opened to foreign and international trade and shipping that significantly led in transforming the economy of Iloilo again into becoming an export economy, bringing in unprecedented progress and economic development in Iloilo in the 19th century, structurally transforming the landscape of proto -industrial towns to network arteries of port trade ”University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies, 2015). The commercial cultivation of sugarcane and the sugar trade industry, in general, in Iloilo then boomed primarily in the said century, with arrival and efforts of Nicholas Loney, the first British Vice-Consul in Iloilo, in 1856. With the expansion of the sugar export trade and the rising vitality of international shipping, Iloilo became an economic enclave for foreign merchants and traders.This sub-urban conglomeration led to the establishment of Board of Trade, consular offices and merchant houses ”University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies, 2015) in the main thoroughfare of Iloilo then named Calle Real, or present-day J.M. Basa Street. This economic vitality ushered Iloilo into being endowed with the title, Queen City of the South , nearing the end of 19th century. The status of Iloilo was raised to a city on October 5, 1889, by then-Queen Regent of Spain Maria Cristina. Iloilo“s phenomenal metamorphosis into a commercial center in the last decade of the 19th century, made its port experience heavy traffic of people and goods. Linking the waterfront with the heart of the city was Calle Progreso. It served as a brokerage center, the site of the city's banks and commercial offices and some of the mos t expensive residential commercial real estates ”University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies, 2015). Additional infrastructures, schools and educational institutions, foreign firms, offices, and consulates, and recreational fac ilities and parks also followed to get built in the city. Back in those decades, the busiest and most bustling section of the city was Calle Real. Then, the Philippine Revolutionary War of 1898 against the Spanish Colonial Government happened. Not long after the war against the Spaniards, the Philippine-American War ensued from 1899 until 1902. Iloilo was placed under the American Colonial Government, got its city status reverted to a status of a town and had its Molo and Mandurriao Districts separated from its jurisdiction. However, Iloilo retained its prominence as the prime urban 2 enclave outside Manila. Its commercial activity especially the expansion of sugar industry and the prosperity that accompanied it continued unabated during the American regime (University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies, 2015). This led the city to regain its city status on July 16, 1937, under the Commonwealth Act 158. However, with the opening of a new port in the neighboring island of Negros, where the main body of the sugar production industry and the vast sugarcane farms that sustained the sugar export industry in the ports of Iloilo City are located, port activity in the city was gravely affected, inciting numerous and rising labor unrest in the area, worrying present and potential local and foreign investors, let alone the declining demand of sugar in the world market. In 1942, during the Second World War, the city was invaded by the Japanese Army of the Axis Powers, putting the economy of Iloilo City to a standstill. By the end of the war, Iloilo“s economy, life and infrastructure were damaged. However, the continuing conflict between the labor unions in the port area, declining sugar economy and the deteriorating peace and order situation in the countryside and the exodus of Ilonggos to other cities and islands that offered better opportunities and businessmen moved to other cities such as Bacolod and Cebu led to Iloilo“s demise in economic importance in southern Philippines ”Iloilo City The Premier City by 2015, 2012). Plaza Gay, Panay Island. (T.C. G.C. Howard, Manila) (FC-ca. 1928) J.M. Basa street of Iloilo. (T.C.G.C. Howard, Manila) (FC-ca. 1928) 3 Cine Palace, Panay Island. (T.C. G.C. Howard, Manila) (FC-ca. 1928) Iloilo Plaza, Iloilo City. (University of Wisconsin, Memorial Library) (ca. 1907-16) The guidelines of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Downtown Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Zone, in pursuant of the provisions of Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054, as amended, has declared the City in its policies to pursue and ensure the rationale of sustainable and conservation of Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Zone: ”a) to safeguard the heritage of the City s Central business District by preserving one or more buildings, sites or other historic significant materials that reflect the City s history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture; (b) to promote use of Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone for education, tourism, pleasure, and social welfare of the residents and visitors of Iloilo City; (c) to strengthen local economy; (d) to stabilize and improve property values in the Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone and its surrounding areas; (e) to foster civic beauty; (f) to promote public information; and (g) to support the conservation of the national heritage and patrimony. 4 And so, as aligned and enumerated in the Conservation Planning and Development for Iloilo City Heritage Structures and Sites, the said program has the following goals: (a) to adopt historic preservation principles as an integral component in city planning and development process; ”b) to implement an active program to identify, interpret, and designate the city s heritage sites and cultural resources; ”c) to promote an understanding and appreciation of the city s heritage sites and cultural resources as an important heritage center of the country; (d) to fully integrate cultural management as a major aspect of heritage conservation planning and development activities; (e) to ensure compatibility between new development and ex isting heritage sites and buildings; (f) to actively pursue financial assistance to promote the restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and cultural resources; and ”g) to encourage both public and private participation of the city s heritage preservation program. To be able to fully encompass the extent and reach of these goals, the program has identified a number of different areas to approach towards conserving, preserving, or restoring identified heritage structures and sites. AREAS OF APPROACH OF THE PROGRAM Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Zone Historic Plazas and Neighborhoods Fort San Pedro Development Master Plan Institutions SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, OFFICE BUILDINGS, et cetera Cluster Heritage Buildings and Houses Landmarks 5 The Local Heritage Conservation Ordinance of Iloilo City, according to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Iloilo, was passed in order to conserve cultural heritage and legacy buildings in the City of Iloilo . The promulgation of the rules and regulations of the said ordinance, in order to carry into effect its purposes, shall be the responsibility of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC), formally instituted and implemented its mandate therein through Executive Order No. 46, Series of 2009, by the Office of the City Mayor of Iloilo City. The said executive order was signed by then -city mayor Jerry P. Treñas on October 21, 2009. Its rules shall apply to the development and management of Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone and its impact to the environment, heritage structures and sites, archaeological, land use, and infrastructure. These rules shall be in consonance with national laws, regulations, and orders, such as the Local Government Code, PD 1096 – National Building Code, PD 1586 – The Environmental Impact Statement System, PD 374 – Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act, RA 7356 – National Commission for Culture and the Arts, RA 841 – Monuments, Historical Markers and Plaques, RA 4846 – Cultural Properties and Protection Act, RA 9275 – Clean Water Act, RA 9003 – Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the Fire Code of the Philippines; as well as local policies and ordinances, such as the Resolution Ordinance No. 2001-072 – Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Iloilo City, Resolution Ordinance No. 2006-619 – Iloilo River Development Master Plan, and the Local Environmental Code. The Conservation Planning and Development for Iloilo City Heritage Structures and Sites is still an ongoing program at present and is led by the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC) under the administration of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog. The ICCHCC is responsible for the promulgation and implementation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Downtown Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Zone, as ordered to be directed by Executive Order No. 46, Series of 2009. This is in pursuant of Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Heritage Conservation Ordinance of Iloilo City , that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Iloilo in order to conserve cultural heritage and legacy buildings in the City of Iloilo through the creation of the ICCHCC. 6 RELATED LITERATURE ON THE PROGRAM: A REVIEW Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054 An Ordinance Declaring Certain Building Structures or Sites in Iloilo City as Local Heritage or Legacy Buildings, Structures or Sites Prescribing its Use and Conservation, and Creating the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, and for Other Purposes According to the provisions of Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054, otherwise known as the Local Cultural Heritage Conservation Ordinance of Iloilo City , there came a need for the passing of the said regulation ordinance for the following: W hereas, the old buildings, structures or sites in Iloilo City always speak of the culture and history not only of the Ilonggos, but of the Filipinos in general; W hereas, while these buildings are integral parts of our national history in general and our regional history in particular, it also provides evidence of the craftsmanship and industry of the Ilonggo artisans and workers; W hereas, such cultural heritage or legacy buildings are now presently in danger of disappearing because of new and modern constructions and infrastructures in its stead; W hereas, if not conserved, these historical or heritage buildings will only be literally a thing of the past in the City of Iloilo; W hereas, under the Local Government Code, the Sangguniang Panlungsod can prescribe reasonable limits and restraint upon the use of properties within the jurisdiction of the City, there is therefore an urgent need for the passage of this ordinance. Furthermore, heritage historical, landmark or legacy building is defined and shall have similar meaning to buildings in existence for 50 years or more . As well, a body to be known as the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council ”ICCHCC) is thereby created; shall become responsible for identifying and doing an inventory of these cultural heritage or legacy buildings, as defined, for keeping a register of such and for such purposes, and for promulgating rules and regulations to carry into effect the abovementioned purposes; and shall be composed by the following, as appointed by the City Mayor: a. Chairperson, who shall be an official of the City of Iloilo or a non-official, serving on a volunteer basis; b. Vice Chairperson, who shall be a representative for the associations of architects in the City of Iloilo; and c. 7 Nine (9) Members, who shall preferably come from the arts and culture community. Republic Act No. 10066 An Act Providing for the Protection and Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage, Strengthening the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its Affiliated Cultural Agencies, and for Other Purposes According to the last paragraph in Article I – Policies and Principles, Section II – Declaration of Principles and Policies, of Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 , it is now one of the duties of the State to endeavor to create a balanced atmosphere where the historic past coexists in harmony with modern society , approach the problem of conservation in an integrated and holistic manner, cutting across all relevant disciplines and technologies , and further administer the heritage resources in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of the present and future generations . Furthermore, in Article III – Cultural Property, Section V – Cultural Property Considered Important Cultural Property, of the same Act, works shall be considered important cultural property, for purposes of protecting such works against exportation, modification, or demolition, unless declared otherwise by the pertinent cultural agency; and for which that applies for buildings and structures, that which includes works of nation heroes, marked structure, and structures dating at least fifty (50) years old, be considered important cultural property, unless declared otherwise by the National Historical Institute. Also, under the same said Article, in Section VII – Privileges for Cultural Property, all cultural properties declared as national cultural treasures and national historical landmarks, sites or monuments shall be entitled to the following privileges : a. Priority government funding for protection, conservation and restoration; b. Incentive for private support of conservation and restoration through the Commission s Conservation Incentive Program for national cultural treasures; c. An official heritage marker places by the cultural agency concerned indicating that the immovable cultural property has been identified as national cultural treasures and/or national historical landmarks, sites or monuments; and d. In times of armed conflict, natural disasters and other ex ceptional events that endanger the cultural heritage of the country, all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks, sites or monuments shall be given priority protection by the government. In Article III – Heritage Zones, Section XII – Designation of Heritage Zones, of the same Act, the act of designating heritage zones in the country shall be by the National Historical Institute and the National Museum, in consultation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, in 8 order to protect the historical and cultural integrity of a geographical area . Moreover, in Section XIII – Maintenance of Heritage Zones, under the same Article, of the same Act, the maintenance of designated heritage zones shall fall under the responsibility of the local government unit concerned, in accordance with the following guidelines: a. Implementation of adaptive reuse of cultural property; b. Appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, and natural bodies of water, canals, paths and barangays within a locality shall be maintained as close to their appearance at the time the area was of most importance to Philippine history as determined by the National Historical Institute; and c. Local government units shall document and sustain all sociocultural practices such as, but not limited to, traditional celebrations, historical battles, recreation of customs, and the reenactment of battles and other local customs that are unique to a locality. In Article VII – Powers of the Commission / Cultural Agencies, Section XXVI – Power to Issue Compulsory Repair Order, of the same Act, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, or the appropriate cultural agency, in a situation where a privately-owned heritage site cannot be maintained by the owner or has fallen into disrepair through neglect to such an extent that it will lose its potential for conservation , may serve on the owner, or the occupant, of such heritage site, an order to repair or maintain such site . If, however, such order is failed to be complied with by the owner, or the occupant, of the heritage site being addressed within thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days, repairs may be undertaken by the appropriate cultural agency, to be funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and by the account of the owner of the heritage site in case. In Article VIII – Role of Cultural Agencies, Section XXXIII – Incorporation of Cultural Property Programs in Local Government Units Budgets, of the same Act, the local government units are encouraged to incorporate programs and budgets for the conservation and preservation of cultural property in the environmental, educational and cultural activities. Following the said Section in the said Act, Section XXXIV – Training Programs, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in coordination with the appropriate cultural agencies, shall provide general training programs on conservation to the local government units which have established cultural heritage programs and projects in their localities. In Article X – Cultural Education, Section XXXIX, of the same Act, the Department of Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, shall set forth in its teaching programs nationwide the following cultural heritage education programs with emphasis at the provincial, city and 9 municipal levels: a. Protection, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage properties; b. Instructional materials in print, film and broadcast media on the cultural and historical significance of cultural properties; and c. Visitation, public accessibility and information dissemination on designated local cultural properties. In Article XIV – Endowment, Section L – National Endowment for Culture and the Arts, of the same Act, The sum of Five hundred million pesos ”P500,000,000.00) shall be contributed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and/or General Appropriations at the minimum rate of One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years towards the establishment of a National Endowment for Culture and the Arts . Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2013-329 An Ordinance Enacting the Tourism Code of Iloilo City Article V – Criteria in the Declaration of Heritage Sites and Buildings Included in the sections of Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2013-329, otherwise known as the Tourism Code of Iloilo City , particularly under Section V, Criteria in the Declaration of Heritage Sites and Buildings, the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council may declare or designate a property as having cultural heritage value, based on but not limited to, the following circumstances: a. The property is deemed to be of cultural heritage value if it possesses cultural, historical, architectural, archaeological, aesthetic, scientific or educational worth. b. The property or structure is within the Downtown Central Business District of Iloilo City. c. The property or structure is not with the Downtown Central Business District of Iloilo City and has been in ex istence for 50 years or more. Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Downtown Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Zone The City of Iloilo shall pursue and ensure the rationale of sustainable and conservation of Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Zone. As such, it shall be the policy of the City to: a. safeguard the heritage of the City s Central Business District by preserving one or more buildings, sites or other historical significant materials that reflect the City s history, 10 architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture b. promote use of Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone for education, tourism, pleasure, and social welfare of the residents and visitors of Iloilo City c. strengthen local economy d. stabilize and improve property values in the Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone and its surrounding areas e. foster civic beauty f. promote public information; and g. support the conservation of the national heritage and patrimony. With regards to the exact coverage of such rules and regulations, they shall all apply to the development and management of Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone and impact to the environment, heritage structures and sites, archaeologic, land use, and infrastructure , in consonance with the following laws and policies: a. National Laws, Regulations, Orders i. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines ii. Republic Act No. 7160 – An Act Providing for a Local Government Code of 1991 iii. Presidential Decree No. 1096, s. 1977 – Adopting a National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) thereby Revising Republic Act No. 6541 (otherwise known as the National Building Code of the Philippines ) iv. Presidential Decree No. 1586 – Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System including Other Environmental Management Related Measures and for Other Purposes v. Presidential Decree No. 374, s. 1974 – Amending Certain Sections of Republic Act No. 4846, otherwise known as the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act vi. Republic Act No. 7356 – An Act Creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Establishing National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts, and for Other Purposes ”otherwise known as the Law Creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts ) vii. Republic Act No. 841 – An Act to Designate the District or City Engineers to Take Charge of Reconstructing, Maintaining, Protecting and Cleaning Monuments and Historical Markers situated within their Respective Jurisdictions and Regulating the Construction or Manufacture of such Structure or Plaque to Perpetuate the Memory of a Person or Event viii. Republic Act No. 4846 – An Act to Repeal Act Numbered Thirty Eight Hundred Seventy Four, and to Provide for the Protection and Preservation of Philippine Cultural Properties ”otherwise known as the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act ) ix. Republic Act No. 9275 – An Act Providing for a Comprehensive W ater Quality 11 Management and for Other Purposes (otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 ) x. Republic Act No. 9003 – An Act Providing for an Ecological Solid W aste Management Program, Creating the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms and Incentives, Declaring Certain Acts Prohibited and Providing Penalties, Appropriating Funds therefor, and for Other Purposes (otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 ) xi. Republic Act No. 9514 – An Act Establishing a Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines, Repealing Presidential Decree No. 1185, and for Other Purposes ”otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 ) b. Local Policies and Ordinance i. Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-054 – An Ordinance Declaring Certain Building Structures or Sites in Iloilo City as Local Heritage or Legacy Buildings, Structures or Sites Prescribing its Use and Conservation, Creating the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, and for Other Purposes ii. Iloilo City Resolution Ordinance No. 2001-072 (otherwise known as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Iloilo ) iii. Iloilo City Resolution Ordinance No. 2006-619 ”otherwise known as the Iloilo River Development Master Plan ) iv. Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2004-149 ”otherwise known as the Iloilo City Environment Code of 2001 ) c. National and Local Incentives Terms pertinent and related to the understanding and implementation of conservation programs in the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone are defined as follows: Adaptation – modifying a place to suit the ex isting or proposed use. Alter – means to change in any manner, and includes but is not limited to reconstruction, redevelopment, improvements, additions, renovation, rehabilitation and demolition of cultural heritage sites. Arcade – an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops) Artistic / architectural value – bearing strong foreign or local influences of a certain periodic style. Conservation – means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain t he heritage value; includes measures undertaken to protect, preserve, conserve and promote cultural heritage sites and their value. 12 CP Clearance – refers to Conservation Plan Clearance as authorized by the ICCHCC. This pertains to a development permit approved by the ICCHCC as having met and passed the required architectural and design standards. It includes terms and conditions that the ICCHCC may impose and copies of drawing/s of the final structure. Culture – that which has undergone human intervention or development. Cultural – pertaining to things with human intervention or development. Cultural Heritage – refers to any site with historic value. Cultural Heritage Value – means the historical, cultural, architectural, archaeological, aesthetic, scientific or educational worth of a site or structure. Cultural Significance – the aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Designation – refers to the recognition and protection accorded to cultural herit age sites under section. Fabric – refers to all the physical materials of the place including components, fix tures, contents, and objects. Façade – the ex terior face of a building which is the architectural front, sometimes this is distinguished from or other faces by elaboration of architectural or ornamental details. Heritage Object – includes, whether designated or not, physical/tangible objects such as statues, monuments, etc. Heritage Site – includes, whether designated or not, land, property, public and private spaces in Iloilo City, which have cultural value to the Philippines, the province of Iloilo, Iloilo City, barangay or community within Iloilo City may include houses and buildings, bridges, waterways, streets, plazas, marketplace/vendors areas/squares, archaeological sites, gardens, cemeteries, etc. Nature – that which has not undergone human intervention or development. Natural – pertaining to things without human intervention or development. Parapet Wall – that part of a wall entirely above the root. Preservation – refers to maintenance of the fabric of a place, its ex isting state and retarding deterioration of a structure in order to ex tend its lifespan. Restoration – is the methodological and controlled repair and strengthening of a structure to have it as close to its original state and to prevent further decay and deterioration. Renovation – is the adaptation and possible beautification of a structure to make it useful 13 and serve modern needs. Remodeling – is a drastic renovation without regard to its original state, authentic whole or part. Reconstruction – is the rebuilding of a faithful copy of a structure based on original period plans and should be under strict supervision. The Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone is composed of the following Major Streets, Minor Arterial Streets, and Plazas and Monuments: a. Major Streets i. J.M. Basa Street ii. Iznart Street b. Minor Arterial Streets i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. c. Arsenal Street Guanco Street Rizal Street Arroyo Street Mapa Street Plazas and Monuments i. ii. iii. iv. 14 Aldeguer Street Plaza Libertad Freedom Grandstand Plaza Plazoleta Gay Maria Clara Monument Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone Conservation Concept Plan The General Prohibitions and Standards of the said rules and regulations enumerated a number of prohibitions and standards to be implemented within the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone, and are the following: a. Demolition, repair, renovation, restoration, construction of any building or structure, without prior consultation with, clearance from, and approval of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, shall not be allowed within the said area. b. Any building, or the use of it, which is not compatible with the essential character of the Historic Cultural and Architectural fabric of the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone shall not be allowed within the said area. c. Overhead structure, like skywalks, pedestrian walkways, billboards, towers, and antenna, shall not be allowed within the said area. Envelop Control shall be implemented within the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone, as such that redevelopment of vacant sites not declared as park and open space or site with architecturally insignificant structure or building will be allowed , subject to the Envelop Control guidelines of the said rules and regulations. Guidelines for Infilling and New Architecture are also included, stating that these new constructions or alterations to existing structures in the area must be compatible with 15 the distinct character of the Downtown CBD Heritage Zone and should maintain coherence with the neighboring heritage building s size, scale, m aterial and site plan ; with these said guidelines further detailed in the following: Scale, Building Height and Massing, Façade Design, The Upper Façade, The Storefront, and Major and New Development. Particularly under the Major and New Development , th e rules and regulations of the guidelines state that large scale, low-rise, high-rise, or a combination of building heights (e.g., new downtown mall, or mixed use development) must be designed to maintain pedestrian connection and view corridors along tra ditional rightsof-way. Fortress architecture with its blank walls facing the perimeter streets and internal activities should be avoided as it develops a negative impact to the urban fabric . Further on, under the section Streetscape of the rules and regulations guidelines, it states that well designed streetscapes have the potential to define a clear positive identity for particular areas. The introduction of streetlights, benches, garbage receptacles, plant boxes and other streetscape elements can enh ance the pedestrian experience and add to the historic character of the conservation area , introducing and promoting public art in common public fixtures to help humanize the environment , creating attractive safe environment for all users of the street with adequate ornamental lighting, traffic signal and other design improvements , enhancing pedestrian environment through sidewalk improvements, street furnishing, and crossing improvements at major crossing location , and others. Under the section Historic Parks and Plazas of the same said guidelines, historic parks and plazas are said to traditionally provide a focus for the city, giving sense of connection to past generations and identity to the residents. They are important to their lifestyle, compatible with continuing sense of purpose, how to use and respect these community amenities and places for events and activities . In Chapter III – Institutional Mechanism, of the same rules and regulations guidelines, it is declared that the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council ”ICCHCC) shall be responsible for the implementation of the rules and regulations unless otherwise provided herein as such; it shall have the following functions, power and responsibilities: 1. To identify, inventory, document, and recognize significant historic buildings and properties in the Downtown Central Business District and other areas of Iloilo City. 2. To promulgate plans, policies including its rules and regulations related to the conservation of the Downtown Central Business District and other areas of Iloilo City. 3. To ex ercise the power to review, approve/disapprove. All plans and programs are to issue clearances prior to the construction of projects in the Downtown CBD and other areas of Iloilo City. 16 4. To provide for review locally or nationally funded sponsored projects that may affect the implementation of Historic Structures in the Downtown CBD and other areas of Iloilo City. 5. To assist the City Government in the formulation of policies and laws that will encourage income producing historic properties that meet preservation standards through tax incentives or disincentives. The composition of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council is as follows: ❖ Chairperson, who shall be an official or non-official of the City of Iloilo; ❖ Vice Chairperson, who shall be the representative of the Association of Architects in the City of Iloilo; ❖ Members: ➢ Iloilo City Visitors Bureau ”ILEA) and the Iloilo Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Association (IHRRA); ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Iloilo City Federation of Councilors Association – Tourism; Regional Director of the Department of Tourism – Region VI; Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO); Iloilo Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA); Iloilo City Engineer s Office; United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Iloilo Chapter; United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Marikudo Chapter; United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Hamili Chapter; Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) – Iloilo Section; Iloilo City Planning and Development Office (CPDO); Iloilo City Tourism Office; Private Sector, composing four (4) representatives. The Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council shall also be composed by the following Technical Work Groups (TWGs): a. Technical W orking Group for Planning; b. Technical W orking Group for W ays and Means; c. Technical W orking Group for Policy Formation; d. Technical W orking Group for Information and Education Campaigns and Advocacies; e. Technical W orking Group for Regulation and Enforcement; f. Other committees, as deemed necessary; g. Ex ecutive Director, who will be the City Planning and Development Coordinator, as designated by the City Council or the Local Ex ecutive Office, and will help coordinate the routine activities of the ICCHCC and its TW Gs, and shall be staffed by a Secretariat composed of at least two (2) city government personnel. 17 Furthermore, the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council shall be in consultation with participatory agencies and institutions to encourage and cooperate with the academe, non-governmental organizations, private institutions, and individuals in the conduct promotion of researches, case studies, and other related studies to the heritage conservation of the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone. These participatory agencies and institutions include: a. Iloilo City Government b. University of San Agustin c. University of the Philippines in the Visayas d. W est Visayas State University e. Central Philippine University f. W est Visayas College of Science and Technology g. University of Iloilo – PHINMA h. Department of Tourism i. Department of Education j. National Commission for Culture and the Arts k. National Heritage Institute l. United Architects of the Philippines m. Philippine Institute of Architects n. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers o. Other private institutions The Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council shall as well establish and maintain a register of cultural heritage sites in Iloilo City, with proper documentation and description. This register shall be known as the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Register. As such, the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council may designate any land, property, plaza, marketplace, streetscape, building and other structure, as an Iloilo City cultural heritage zone , under, but not limited to, the following circumstances: a. The property is deemed to be of cultural heritage value if it possesses cultural, historical, architectural, archaeological, aesthetic, scientific or educational worth. b. The property/structure is within the Downtown Central Business District of Iloilo City. c. The property/structure is not within the Downtown Central Business District of Iloilo City and has been in ex istence for 50 years or more. Properties or districts accorded such designation by the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council is now with the notice of the public of its heritage value and a certain measure of protection from unnecessary demolition or incoherent alteration, serving as a guide to changes in the property so that its heritage attributes can be maintained . The said designation ”1) recognizes and reinforces the cultural value and 18 the community appreciation of the public of the heritage property, (2) provides safeguards against inappropriate changes to the heritage property that defeats the reason for its designation, (3) prohibits demolition unless properly justifies and permitted, and (4) enables access to incentives as m ay be provided for. However, the said designation does not (1) restrict the use of the property (except for incompatible uses inconsistent with its heritage value), (2) impose onerous obligations or undue expenses to maintain the property, (3) render the property ineligible for insurance coverage, (4) restrict the sale or hypothecation of the property, and (5) give the public access to private property without the consent of the owner. Supporting Local Initiatives in Preserving Heritage Buildings in Iloilo City (Philippines) through Risk Assessment Section III - Survey of Heritage Buildings in Iloilo City Kirk Kennedy U. Yu, Andres Winston C. Oreta, Rhodella A. Ibabao, and Noel Hechanova In Subsection 3.1 Brief characteristics of heritage buildings, it is said that majority of the buildings and structures found within the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone were built during the American period ”1920-32) and were mostly made of concrete ”Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). Within the said area, the architecture of the buildings follows at least one or more of the following architectural styles: beaux-arts, art deco, art modern, post-art modern, or neo-classical (Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). As of the 2006, there is a total of 26 heritage buildings or structures already identified and catalogued by the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council. Among the identified heritage buildings or structures, the oldest is the Javellana Building (CBD 01010) built in 1922, rounding up to almost 95 years old. The said heritage buildings and structures, as well as other recent buildings and structures constructed in the area after the Second World War, are mostly used for commercial purposes, while still maintaining their heritage facet ”Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). Along with the conservation, preservation, or restoration projects that are being initiated in the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone is the raising of funds for the provision of new, durable, permanent, and visually complementing kiosk units to small-time vendors affected, whether directly or indirectly, by the projects within the area (Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). 19 The city government has initiated a number of projects for the preservation and conservation program of heritage structures in Iloilo City. Infrastructure projects include the rehabilitation of the downtown CBD through improvement of sidewalk, installation of heritage lamps at the CBD; improvements of and rehabilitation of the plazas such as restoring Molo Plaza and installing concrete pavers at Plaza Libertad with funds coming from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority ”TIEZA) ”Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). The city government has also supported a number of Information, Education and Communication campaigns and advocacies. These include: survey and cataloguing, seminars on local oral history and continuous cultural mapping, celebration of heritage month and participation through exhibits at the first Iloilo River International Summit. As a legal campaign, the city officials have proposed a resolution declaring Iloilo City as a Heritage City for having complied the minimum requirements of Repu blic Act 10066 (Phil. National Cultural Heritage Law). The city government has also passed a bill declaring certain sites to be declared as Heritage and Tourist spots. These sites are as follows: Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, CBD, Fort San Pedro, the Jaro P laza complex and the Plaza Libertad Complex ”Yu, Oreta, Ibabao, & Hechanova, 2013). Liveable Cities Design Challenge: The Iloilo City Experience Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, DM Mayor, Iloilo City, Philippines In the presentation submitted by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog to the Liveable Cities Design Challenge of the League of Cities of the Philippines on July 22, 2016, he stated the collective vision of the City of Iloilo towards sustainability as this: Iloilo City aims to create a more liveable and more safer environment. Ours is a city that provides the Ilonggos a healthy, sociable and more green spaces ”Mabilog, 2016). His, as well the city s, design strategies include the following: Community & Economy, Ecology & Environment, Resiliency, Heritage Integration, and Equal Access to All (Better Life Quality). The presentation also identified 4 project areas: (1) Urban Design, (2) City Government Center, (3) Fort San Pedro, and (4) Rivercraft Pavilion. 20 Particularly, under the Urban Design Project, it aims to develop efficient pedestrian walkways which will promote and encourage the public to walk and aims to enhance pedestrian circulation within and around the city nodes ”Mabilog, 2016). Areas in the city targeted and involved in this said project are the Iloilo City Business Triangle, the district plazas, and the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District (or the Old Central Business District area). Map representation of the Urban Design Project under the Liveable Cities Design Challenge: The Iloilo City Experience (Mabilog, 2016) According to Mabilog ”2016), his vision of a liveable and sustainable Iloilo City is the connectivity of all districts through a network of green spaces and transport corridors that are safe and convenience for every man, woman and child and resilient to disasters and climate change. This should ensure accessibility to jobs, livelihood, recreation, entertainment, education, worship, wellness and government services. 21 PLANNING ELEMENTS MATRIX OF THE PROGRAM 22 23 Assumed Conceptual Framework of the Program 24 Assumed Operational Framework of the Program LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF THE PROGRAM The following is the assumed Logical Framework onto which the program is seen to be guided by in its operation and execution. It presents information about its activities, outputs, outcomes, and objectives and goals, systematically and logically, synthetically describing what the program wants to achieve and how it sees to achieve it. 25 26 PROBLEM-SOLUTION TREE ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM The following illustration is the assumed Problem Tree Analysis of the program. With the recognized decline and stagnation of Iloilo City s local economy, intensified and prolonged due to the periods of emigration of people to other Philippine cities for work and better opportunities, the continued decline of trade and commercial activities in the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District becomes reflected in the continued decay 27 and neglect of heritage buildings and structures in the area that once bustled and housed the lively trade, commercial, and economic prosperity of the city. On the other hand, the following is the assumed Solution Tree Analysis, seeking to effectively address the core problem identified by the program. The move to conserve, preserve, or restore the heritage buildings and structures in the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District is seen to improve the potential of the area for new capital investments, to increase property values within it, and to encourage the regrowth of local cultural heritage appreciation from the youth and the present generation. 28 29 SUMMARY ANALYSIS, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION The Conservation Planning and Development for Iloilo City Heritage Structures and Sites Program in Iloilo City, as spearheaded by the City Government of Iloilo through the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, aimed to enact additional measures to further strengthen the goal of the city in safeguarding the cultural heritage of Iloilo City, as well as to assist, encourage, and provide incentives to private owners for conservation, preservation, restoration, redevelopment, and use of outstanding historic buildings, structures, districts, objects, sites, parks, and plazas. It also aimed to foster civic and neighborhood pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, reinstilling a good sense of identity to Ilonggos and the rest of the Filipino population. The city also aims to make itself the Cultural Heritage Capital of the Visayas . It is foreseen that the move for heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration of cultural heritage in Iloilo City would lead to the revitalization of local economic activity and growth, primarily through local heritage tourism and infrastructural and commercial investments in the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District Heritage Zone. This target condition would foster increased economic, social, and cultural opportunities and development for the people of Iloilo City. Summary Analysis of the Program The projects laid down by the program are seen to be logical, systematic, and well strategized, eliciting the support and backing of the local government unit, both its executive and legislative branches; the concerned and allied national government cultural agencies, like the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Institute, and alike; the local professional associations, like the United Architects of the Phil ippines, Philippine Institute of Architects, and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers; and the academe, composed of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, and others. However, the program is believed to be better improved if, as well, the active participation and influence of the local community of people residing or doing business in the area covered by the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District was elicited and significantly incorporated in the conceptualization, organization, planning, and management of the program. The easily observed, and presumably, top-down, areabased approach employed by the initiators of the said program warded off the potentially significant contributions that could have opportuned the people, such as small-time vendor associations for example, to actively participate in the coming up of 30 the program, setting the tone, for instance, in the determination of the extent of the area of coverage of the Iloilo City Downtown Central Business District to be declared as heritage zone , so as to maximize the corresponding protection and government focus, both local and national, consequent of the declaration, towards the development of the declared area and its environs; or in the form of government assistance, whether financially, economically, or socially, and the priority the program extends to them as one of its major stakeholders, going beyond than just awarding new and permanent kiosks to vendors doing meager business by the streets; or in the strength of government orders over the heritage property owners to conserve, preserve, or restore their said properties for the benefit of the local economy s growth and resurgence and, more especially, for the increased economic, business, and commercial opportunities for the people in and coming into the area; of which they are as well directly concerned, affected, and a primary actor and stakeholder of. The Problem-Solution Tree Analysis assumed to have been employed by the program, focusing on Continued Decay and Neglect of Heritage Buildings as the c ore problem, aiming correspondingly to achieve the plain objective goal of Conservation, Preservation, Restoration of Heritage Buildings , may be better improved, incorporating a more people-centered approach and perspective, as being more aligned to the collective vision declared by Iloilo City Mayor Mabilog for the city that is liveable and sustainable for every man, woman, and child ”Mabilog, 2016), by refocusing the core problem aimed to be addressed by the program instead to Low Socio-Economic Conditions of the People in the Area , as deeply evidenced and supported by a thorough and further analysis of the socio-economic and cultural context, and socio-economi conditions of the people, of the area. As such, it is proposed that the program be reanchored onto the Problem-Solution Tree Analysis presented below: Proposed Problem Tree Analysis of the Program 31 Proposed Solution Tree Analysis of the Program Conclusion & Recommendation to the Program The Conservation Planning and Development for Iloilo City Heritage Structures and Sites Program in Iloilo City is able to start the revitalization of the local economy of the city, bringing in increased growth in economic, business, and commercial activities in the area; as well as able to start the movement towards cultural heritage conservation in the city, fostering back the sense of civic pride in the people and their appreciation of their local cultural heritage. With some minor modifications in the conceptual framework the program currently works around on, taking into valuable consideration the proposed Problem-Solution Tree Analysis mentioned above, putting more focus and bigger importance on the participation of the people in achieving genuine and active involvement in the conservation program of the city, the said program could more effectively achieve its projected goals of uplifting the lives and socio-economic conditions of the people, as well as of bringing back the deep appreciation of Iloilo s cultural heritage among the youth and present generation, of Iloilo City. BIBLIOGRAPHY City Government of Iloilo. (2013). 2013-2019 Iloilo City Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). Retrieved May 2017, from Iloilo City Government Official Website: www.iloilocity.gov.ph/images2013/2013-2019%20CDP.pdf City Government of Iloilo. (2013). SOCIOECONOMICPROFILE2013.pdf. 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