CARETAKER

Mayor Ferdi Medina's trip to Sweden to attend a conference on local government gave me a chance to become the acting mayor of Vigan from September 13 to 29, 2006. But, I would rather call myself the CARETAKER. To temporarily head the local government of World Heritage City is not an easy task. It's not only a question of signing documents such as licenses, permits, clearances, vouchers, checks, communications, legislative enactments, and the like but its an issue of effectively managing the city while the chief executive is on official travel.

As a caretaker, it is my responsibility to see to it that government is properly functioning. In some cases, acting mayors tend to rock the boat when the mayor is away. Not in this part of the world. As the humble Vice Mayor and careteker of the City of Vigan, I cannot afford this to happen. We are not only exercising governance but we are protecting a World Heritage Site!

Conservation is really the centerpiece of Vigan's public management. This maybe the much sought rallying point in unifying the Biguenos for a common cause. Through this, the significance of our city can be appreciated. The economics of conservation can give the people of Vigan the much needed opportunities to improve their lives.
It's not simply attracting tourists to come to this city but to dicover business undertakings related to Heritage Conservation.

Is there money in conservation? The answer is a resounding YES! Conserving the rich legacy of Vigan is improving the lives of the Filipinos. If there is such thing as Debt for the environment swap, how about Debt for culture swap? This can be Vigan's contribution to save the Philippine economy.