Section 1Sec./Art. 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 t he 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 the 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. No. 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. No. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise include the metes and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.