CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The City Government will host from November 6 to 7 the Fourth Philippine Towns & Cities Conference (PTCC 4) themed "Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future."

According to City Tourism Ching Pangilinan, the PTCC is organized annually by the Heritage Conservation Society and aims to enhance civic engagement with local governments units in order to inform and guide them on the proper care and utilization of built heritage resources which are considered valuable assets.

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She said that the PTCC is a communications campaign aimed at influencing policy makers at the local government level.

Through the "Mayors' Forum," best practices are shared and other stakeholders in government, the private sector and the academe participate in the multi-disciplinary concern of heritage conservation.

In the city, cultural and heritage conservation is a prime program spearheaded by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez who has since advocated its preservation for future generations.

Rodriguez and the City Tourism Office has in the past created, declared and sustained a heritage district in the city realizing that such built heritage resources should be the core of any master plan for urban development and inner town or city revitalization.

Livelihood opportunities are generated by adaptive re-use, the revival of traditional crafts for restoration work and an increase in tourism receipts.

Maintaining the heritage district, according to Pangilinan, prevents wanton real estate speculation and over-construction, which are often mistaken for modernization and exert devastating pressure on the historic and cultural core of many human settlements.

Expected to attend PTCC 4 at Heroes Hall are Rodriguez, Governor Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao; Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City; Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu; Congressman Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon; Congressman Pedro Romualdo of Camiguin; Governor Villaflor Castillo of Quezon; Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela; Mayor Jerry Pelayo of Candaba; and Mayor Danilo Domingo of Malolos, Bulacan.

Presenters for the forum include Ivan Anthony Henares of the City of San Fernando; Dr. Fernando Zialcita of Quiapo, Manila; Professor Cynthia Rivera of Intramuros, Manila; Architect Josefina Alfonso of Bustos, Bulacan; Joy Gerra of Cebu; Dr. Floro Quibuyen of Betis, Guagua; Dr. Nimfa de la Cruz of Catarman, Northern Samar; and lawyer Violeta Seva of the Makati Poblacion Heritage Project.

Sponsors for PTCC4 include the City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga and the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation.