The Role of the National Government in the Preservation of the World Heritage Site of Crisologo Street Vigan Ilocos Sur Philippines

Abstract

The Crisologo Street situated in Vigan City is the last surviving site in the Philippines depicting urban planning and architecture that reflects the mixture of different cultural imprints on the Filipino heritage including Spanish urban planning with authentic 19th to the early 20th century architecture existing in a landscape that continues to show traces of its original setting. This research was conceived due to the alarm caused by the catastrophe that hit the Visayas region last 2013 which destroyed most of the heritage sites in the region and thus, being inside what is held as World Heritage Site, this is an attempt to study the role of the national government in the preservation of Crisologo Street. This study presents comprehensive data that will prove the effectiveness of R.A. 10066 and that the preserved Crisologo Street is a manifestation of effective deputation of power and control starting from the national government down to the local government and the locals themselves. This study aims to instill, especially to the Filipinos that efforts and endeavors to preserve heritage sites such as Crisologo Street is not only a way to boost nationalism, patriotism and sense of pride, but also a tool for economic