Ecotourism status of Vigan Heritage Village and Las Piñas - Parañaque Critical Habitat.

1. Vigan Heritage Village

2.  The Vigan Heritage Village is a town
in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that is considered
the best-preserved example of a
planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.
In November 1999, it was placed on the
World Heritage List commemorating its
cultural significance.

3. Historical Background
 The village was established in the 16th
century, when trade and community activity
started to flourish along the Mestizo River,
lasting up to the 19th century. The name
"Vigan" was derived from a giant taro plant
"biga" that grew abundantly along the
riverbanks. Most of the materials -- such as
adobe, pebbles, bricks and posts -- were
brought from Europe through the Manila-
Acapulco Galleon Trade. The construction
work was done by Chinese laborers. Thus,
the village's architecture reflects a unique
fusion of Spanish European and Chinese
culture.

4. Justification for Inscription
 Vigan represents a unique fusion of
Asian building design and
construction with European colonial
architecture and planning.
 Vigan is an exceptionally intact and
well preserved example of a
European trading town in East and
South-East Asia.

5.  Vigan Heritage Village did well in
building the modern additions to the
village in accordance with the
colonial style of the houses and
buildings in the heritage park.
Fastfood restaurant buildings are
patterned after the Spanish-style
buildings such that they become
part of the old town.

11. Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical
Habitat

12.  A coastal wetland in Manila Bay situated
within the metropolis of Manila, comprising
two interconnected, mangrove-covered
islands, shallow lagoons and coastline. A
Presidential Proclamation in 2007 designated
the site as a Critical Habitat for the survival of
threatened, restricted-range and congregatory
species.
 At least 5,000 individuals of migratory and
resident birds have been recorded at the site,
including about 47 migratory species such as
the vulnerable Chinese Egret (Egretta

13.  The most important of the resident bird
species is the vulnerable Philippine
Duck (Anas luzonica) which breeds at
the site.
 Records from 2007-2011 show that the
site supports at least 1% of the
estimated population of Black-Winged
Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) using
the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

14.  The site faces threats associated with
being located near densely populated
areas. Waste from nearby cities
accumulates along the coast and heavy
metals and other organic contents
coming from residential and industrial
effluents affect surrounding areas.
 Other threats include ongoing land
reclamation projects and mangrove
cutting. Efforts to ensure the long-term
conservation of this site are ongoing.

15. Chinese Egret (Egret
eulophotes)

16. Philippine Duck (Anas
luzonica)

17. Black-Winged Stilts
(Himantopus himantopus)

18. Collared Kingfishers

19. Chestnut Munias