18/04/2024
At the conclusion of the March 2024 activities for the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) project was a Town Hall Meeting, an assembly of Vigan Homeowners and local stakeholders to voice their opinions on issues on the recovery of Vigan.
In terms of emergency response, the homeowners suggested that a specialized response team with relevant technical specialists and experts be created, that more capacity building sessions be offered to all stakeholders to enhance skills and knowledge for conservation, and that guidelines for the restoration and repair of homes should be refined. The resurrection, too, of the Homeownerโs Association was suggested. That way, challenges and knowledge can be shared immediately to benefit all homeowners with communal support.
Financing the repair of the homes was also a sensitive issue, as many of the homeowners are now abroad or in other parts of the country, thus creating landlord absenteeism. Many of these homes now belong to numerous family members who may not necessarily agree on issues for the care of their ancestral homes and who may not have the funds or means to maintain the structures. One solution that was suggested is the use of tax breaks; with a sound legal framework and mechanism in place, a general fund could be created. Participants also proposed exploring avenues for financial assistance, such as grants or subsidies, to support homeowners in funding repairs and restoration efforts.
The first UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund project in the Philippines will conclude in August 2024. Many milestones were achieved during its engagement with the World Heritage Site, and, as a result, homeowners, business owners, local government officials, students, and everyday stakeholders are actively participating in the recovery and restoration and are learning more about their heritage along the way.
For more information on ICOMOS Philippines โก๏ธ https://philippines.icomos.org/
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