WHY METRO VIGAN? (Script of a Powerpoint Presentation)

Maybe you have heard of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC. These are organizations of independent countries in the international level.

The Proposed Metro Vigan Coordinating Council is more or less similar to these organizations, but on the level of the local government. It is hereby proposed that an aggrupation of local government units be created.

These local government units are not only adjacent and contiguous with each other but share common problems, concerns, needs and history. These are the bases of our unity.

Vigan has a rich historical link with the towns of Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Caoayan, Bantay, San Ildefonso, Santa, and Sto. Domingo.

Caoayan was once a part of VIGAN until its foundation as a town way back 1825. It was then a major seaport being the entrance to Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan

Santa used to be a watch area for possible invaders of Ciudad Fernandina. The watch tower of nearby Sulvec and the fortified narrow road of Pideg Pass (formerly Agay-ayos) were significant landmarks where joint forces of Spanish and local Ilocano collaborationists repelled invaders from Pangasinan.

San Ildefonso - Bantaoay of San Ildefonso was the place where the historic Basi Revolt started. It culminated in Vigan leading to the public execution of rebel leaders.
San Vicente and Sta. Catalina were former visitas of Vigan.These towns have always been a part of Vigan until their foundation in 1795.

Bantay was the base of Agustinian friars. It was founded in 1593, a few years from the colonization of Vigan.

Sto. Domingo has always been a part of Vigan life. Old rich families of Vigan are still landowners of vast hectares of agricultural lands even up to this time. Politically, most of the legislators in Phil. Congress representing the 1st Dist. of Ilocos Sur hail from this town. These are the eight towns which will comprise the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council.

The following are the legal bases:

a) Art. X, Sec. 13 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, “Local Government Units may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them, in accordance with law”

b) Art. 3, Sec. 33, of the Local Government Code of 1991 and the Art. 61 (b) of its IRR, provides that Local Government Units may, through appropriate ordinances, group themselves, consolidate, or coordinate their efforts, services and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them. In support of such undertakings the LGU involved may, upon approval by the sanggunian concerned after a public hearing conducted for the purpose, contribute funds, real estate, equipments and other kinds of property and appoint or assigned personnel under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the participating local units through Memoranda of Agreement.

c) Res. #10, S. 1994 of the the Sangguniang Bayan of Vigan – “A Resolution endorsing the creation of a Metro Vigan Coordinating Council for the effective, efficient and expeditious delivery of basic services for the towns of Vigan, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, San Vicente, and Santa.

d) Res. # 22, S. 1998 of the then Sangguniang Bayan of Vigan, “A Resolution requesting the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Sur to create the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council for the effective, efficient and expeditious delivery of basic services for the towns of Vigan, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, San Vicente and Santa.

e) Res. # 20, S. 2008 of the Vigan City Council, “A Resolution inviting the towns of Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Sto. Domingo and Santa, Ilocos Sur to explore the possibility of creating the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council.

The objective of this endeavor is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each local government unit to come up with a common agenda for development. The areas of cooperation are:

a) PUBLIC SAFETY & ORDER
- Peace and Order
- Fire Safety
- Disaster preparedness during Typhoons and other calamities.

b) WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Garbage disposal
- Waste segregation

c) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
- Cleaning/dredging of rivers
- Coastal management
- Air pollution management

d) TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATION
- Traffic management
- Public transport
- Access to information

e) HERITAGE CONSERVATION, TRADE & TOURISM
- Community-based Rural Tourism (CBRT)
- Protection/Promotion of traditional industries
- Cultural Mapping

To further appreciate on what’s happening in Vigan right now, allow me to present the City’s Vision Statement. Our vision is to work for a globally competitive world heritage city. These are Vigan’s vision for the immediate years to come some of which have been achieved:

- River rehabilitation, we want our rivers not only to be clean but also navigable and enjoyable, and we want to share this with you.

- The 10-hectare lot of the city presently used as waste management center is currently producing organic fertilizers through its bio-reactor. A sunflower farm was established as a demonstration farm to test the fertilizers. Right now, Vigan farmers are using organic fertilizers. We can share the experience with you.

- In an attempt to achieve zero waste, Styrofoams are now being converted into plastic tables for functional use such as tables for day care centers. We can share the technology with you.

- Vigan is now exploring to tap garbage as a source of electricity through a biomass power plant. If this will be achieved, affordable electricity will be made available to you.

- To address the issue on pollution and in compliance with the Clean Air Act, the city council passed an ordinance regulating two-stroke tricycles-for-hire. We also want to share the clean air with you.

These are some of the things that we want to do and we believe that we can achieve more if we work together through the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council. Rest assured that the territorial and political integrity and independence of each local government unit shall always be respected.

As the saying goes, NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, NO MAN STANDS ALONE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO ISOLATE OURSELVES OR ELSE WE WILL BE LEFT OUT.

“Nowadays, companies and big businesses merge or group themselves together to survive in this competitive world. This is the effect of GLOBALIZATION.”

“New public management dictates that we as local government units have to join together and form a common group not only to protect our interests but to pursue developmental goals”

LET’S GO METRO, METRO VIGAN!