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The City of San Fernando, Pampanga will host the *4th Philippine Towns & Cities Conference: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future* (PTC4) from November 6 to 7, 2009. PTC4, organized annually by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS), aims to enhance civic engagement with local governments units in order to inform and guide the LGUs on the proper care and utilization of a valuable asset — built heritage resources.

The first conference was held last 8 November 2006, at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Pasig City; followed by the second conference held on 9 November 2007, at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City and the third conference was held on 8 November 2008 in Zamboanga City.

In our towns and cities, wanton real estate speculation and over – construction are often mistaken for modernization when in fact these exert devastating pressure on the historic and cultural core of many of our human settlements. As a result, a valuable economic resource – built heritage — is left to deteriorate or is thoughtlessly demolished in the name of progress. Concerted effort is imperative to protect heritage resources because these are revenue and job-generating assets that can spark economic revitalization, as the case of Vigan clearly shows.
However, there is a general lack of awareness at the local government level, which is precisely where policies should be formulated and ordinances passed to declare heritage districts and protect these as the town’s or city’s prime assets. Built heritage resources should be the core of any master plan for urban development and inner town/city revitalization.  Livelihood opportunities are generated by adaptive re-use, the revival of traditional crafts for restoration work and an increase in tourism receipts.

Significantly, communities begin to feel a *pride of place*.

The Philippine Towns and Cities Conference is a communications campaign to influence policy makers at the local government level. Through the “Mayors’ Forum”, best practices are shared. Other stakeholders in government, the private sector and the academe are invited to participate because heritage conservation is a multi-disciplinary concern.

In PTC4, the Heritage Conservation Society will take this awareness and education campaign to the local governments of North Philippines (Central Luzon, CAR, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley), where built heritage resources abound in San Fernando and Angeles (Pampanga), Malolos and San Miguel (Bulacan), Sta. Cruz (Zambales), Vigan (Ilocos Norte), Laoag & San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte), Lingayen and Alaminos (Pangasinan) and many others.

For more information, contact Dorie Soriano/Luz Regalado of the Heritage Conservation Society at 5212239, (Fax) 522 2497, 09178668853, 09062625631, 09228712061 or hcs_secretariat@yahoo.com; or Ching Pangilinan/Malyn Tuason of the San Fernando Tourism Office at 0459615684 or mlcjdp@yahoo.com.  Sponsors for PTC4 include the City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga and the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation.

*4th Conference
PHILIPPINE TOWNS & CITIES
Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future

TENTATIVE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

**Friday, 6 November
*2:00 p.m. – Guided Tour of San Fernando Heritage District
6:00 p.m. – Serenata and Welcome Cocktails (Heroes Hall)

*Saturday, 7 November  (Heroes Hall)
*8:00 a.m. – Prologue, Gemma Cruz Araneta
8:15 a.m. – Welcome Remarks, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez
8:30 a.m. – Presentation 1-
9:15 a.m. – Presentation 2-

10:00 a.m. – LGU Heritage Forum
Invited panelists:
1. Mayor Oscar Rodriguez (San Fernando, Pampanga)
2. Gov. Teddy Baguilat (Ifugao)
3. Mayor Jesse Robredo (Naga)
4. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu)
5. Cong. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon)
6. Cong. Pedro P. Romualdo (Camiguin)
7. Gov. Villaflor A. Castillo (Baler, Quezon)
8. Gov. Grace Padaca (Isabela)
9. Mayor Jerry L. Pelayo (Candaba)
10. Mayor Danilo Domingo (Malolos, Bulacan)

12:00 noon – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Presentation 3
1:45 p.m. – Presentation 4
2:30 p.m. – Coffee Break
2:45 p.m. – Presentation 5
3:30 p.m. – Presentation 6
4:15 p.m. – Reactions, Discussions, Synthesis
4:45 p.m. – Next Steps: Arch. Nathaniel von Einsiedel
5:00 p.m. – Adjournment

Moderators: Phil. Institute of Environmental Planners

Invited Presentors:
Ivan Anthony Henares – San Fernando, Pampanga
Dr. Fernando Zialcita – Quiapo, Manila
Prof. Cynthia Rivera – Intramuros, Manila
Arch. Josefina B. Alfonso – Bustos, Bulacan
Joy Gerra – Cebu
Dr. Floro Quibuyen – Betis/Guagua, Pampanga
Dr. Nimfa de la Cruz – Catarman, Northern Samar
Atty. Violeta Seva – Makati Poblacion Heritage Project

*REGISTRATION FORM

Please check:
_____ Private (P3,000)
_____ LGU    (P2,500)
_____ Undergrad Student (1,000)
(Fee includes conference materials, certificate of attendance, snacks &
lunch on November 7. PRC-CPE accreditation in process)

_____ Guided Tour of San Fernando Heritage District (P1,500)
(Fee includes transportation and Kapampangan merienda at Everybody’s Cafe)

TOTAL: PHP

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PAYMENT DETAILS:
For checks, please issue to *Heritage Conservation Society*
For bank deposits: Heritage Conservation Society, BPI C/A No. 8105-8153-61, M.H. del Pilar Branch, Ermita, Mla.
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Heritage Conservation Society
G/F Museo Pambata Building
Roxas Boulevard, Ermita
Manila, Philippines
Tel. +632 521 2239
Fax. +632 522 2497