An Act Establishing a Heritage Zone within the Municipality of San Vicente, Province of Ilocos Sur

January 14, 2022

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11645

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HERITAGE ZONE WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN VICENTE, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR

SECTION 1. A Heritage Zone, as defined and provided for by Article II, Section 3 (q) and Article IV, Sections 12 and 13 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10066, otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009," is hereby established within the Municipality of San Vicente, Province of Ilocos Sur in order to protect the historical and cultural integrity of the area.

The Heritage Zone shall include the cultural properties declared as National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties as well as National Historical Landmarks, Shrines, Monuments, and Sites, and such other immovable, movable or intangible cultural properties whether publicly or privately owned, as may be designated for inclusion therein by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its affiliated cultural agencies, in coordination with the Municipality of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur and other concerned agencies and government entities.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Province of Ilocos Sur, the Municipality of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, and the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, shall immediately prepare the development plan involving the preservation, conservation, restoration, and maintenance of cultural and historical sites and structures for the enhancement and sustainability of tourism in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur: Provided, That the NCCA shall approve only those methods and materials that strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation in undertaking conservation and restoration works, as provided for in Section 15 of R.A. 10066.

Within the period of one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Municipality of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur shall pass a municipal ordinance to operationalize appropriately the management of its Heritage Zone, including all the cultural properties designated as intrinsic thereto, in accordance with the development plan and in line with the objectives and provisions of R.A. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise include the metes and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.

SECTION 2. The preservation, protection, study, and promotion of the cultural and historical integrity of the geographical area represented by the Heritage Zone shall receive priority development attention, assistance, and funding from the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, and from the DOT and its attached agencies, subject to existing appropriate government rules and regulations.

SECTION 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, the NCCA, and concerned cultural agencies of the government, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances, and enactments or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved: January 14, 2022.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 118, No. 4, p. 545 on January 24, 2022.