The department’s mission is to exist for a community that deeply treasures its rich cultural heritage, to have people who are God-fearing, self-reliant, sincere, pro-active and development - oriented. Its primary concern is to make sure that all projects, programs and activities of the Local Government Unit are properly implemented in accordance with the approved plans.

The functions of the City Planning Department Council are as follows:

1. Formulate integrated, economic, social, physical and other development plans and policies for consideration of the Local Government Development Council.

2. Conduct continuing studies, researches and training programs necessary to evolve plans and programs for implementation.

3. Integrate and coordinate all sectoral plans and studies undertaken by the different function groups or agencies.

4. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the different development programs, projects and activities in the local government unit concerned in accordance with the approved development plans.

5. Prepare comprehensive plans and other development planning documents for the consideration of the Local Government Council.

6. Analyze the income and expenditure patterns and formulate and recommend fiscal plans and policies for the consideration of the finance committee of the Local Government Council.

7. Analyze the income and expenditure patterns and formulate and recommend fiscal plans and policies for consideration of the finance committee of the Local Government Unit concerned.

8. Promote people participation in development planning within the local Government unit concerned.

9. Exercise supervision and control over the Secretariat of the Local Government Council.

10. Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions and duties as maybe prescribed by law or ordinance.

Our responsibility enables us to anticipate unfavorable development conditions. If we cannot foresee such changes, the plans will eventually fail. In all our projects, risks are always involved, so it is a must to have a plan. Our department ensures toward achieving a common goal that is to uplift the whole status of the populace, especially the poor. Therefore, we make sure that in formulating plans for an operation, we foresee first consequences. We always seek to achieve a consistent, coordinated structure of operations focused on desired ends. We always plan ahead towards the better future of Vigan City.

According to Mr. Fieldad, the best contributions that his department can give to the Local Government of Vigan are to help conserve and promote our Cultural, Historical Heritage as a tourist destination especially now that Vigan is already inscribed in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites and Monuments; and to encourage people to join our local officials in attaining the goals of the government.

At present, their concerns projects for development are as follows: continuation of the construction of Vigan Commercial Center (3rd Module), construction of the reinforced concrete box culvert at Sitio Leongi, installation of streetlights along various streets of Vigan and construction of farm to market roads.

Mr. Fieldad emphasizes, “Discipline among the constituents is very important in order for Vigan City to become a more progressive, peaceful and more beautiful place to live in. Our main responsibility is to formulate plans for the welfare of the community especially the poor and it should follow that the populace should help us in attaining our goals for development”.

It is imperative then for the Local Government Unit of Vigan to pursue its goal to restructure the organizational and functional set-up to make it more viable in terms of economy, efficiency, effectiveness and responsive to the needs of every Bigueño, thus, the impending reorganization was considered as a process to that effect.

A consultation dialogue between the Local Government Unit of Vigan and personnel from top level management of the Civil Service Commission Region I headed by Assistant Regional Director Leticia G. Reyna was then held on February 1, 2001 at the City Mayor’s Office. Various issues, concerns and process of reorganization were tackled during the consultation.

LGU-Vigan City was declared under reorganization by way of a general assembly on April 2001. As mandated by Republic Act 6656 (Rules on Reorganization) and by virtue of Executive Order No. 9, Series of 2001, the Vigan City Placement Committee was created with the purpose of formulating a new staffing pattern for the city government. Committee meetings were then held until the approval of a New Staffing Pattern on November 5, 2001 by Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 20, Series of 2001.

Newly created positions and their corresponding minimum qualification requirements in accordance with the provisions of CSC MC No. 1, series of 1997 were submitted to the Civil Service Commission, Ilocos Sur Provincial Field office I for publication at the CSC bulletin of vacant positions as well as posting of these vacant positions at 3 conspicuous places within the LGU-Vigan City were done.

Judicious selection and placement of personnel through the Personnel Selection Board were held on January 16, 18 and February 7, 2002 for the positions under the legislative branch and January 30, 31, February 20 and 28, 2002 for the positions under the executive branch of the LGU-Vigan City. In order that qualified and most deserving persons shall be appointed to these newly created positions, an actual evaluation ranging from Aptitude Test, Computer Skills Tests, English Proficiency Tests, Actual Personal Interviews were conducted during the selection.

Now and then, LGU-Vigan City shall continue to provide basic services at its best not only in terms of manpower resources but in good governance as well. (axel-hrmo 2k2)

The unique location of Vigan logically made it a trading post during the pre-Historic era. Now, it is seen as a “charmed” town that has managed to preserve its old houses and quiet ways. UNESCO cited it as “the best preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia which represents the fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning, to create a unique culture and townscape considered without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.” These qualities have made Vigan a world heritage site.

Vigan became a city in January 22, 2001. This new status is bound to open the city to all kinds of opportunities, new ways as well as to the dangers of and the menacing influences brought about by a cosmopolitan lifestyle usually associated with the city dwellers. The challenge remains for the city to pursue and sustain urban development as it makes a conscious effort to preserve its heritage.

In its desire to meet the challenge, the City Mayor’s Office requested the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for a strategic planning workshop to be conducted from April 3-5 in Baguio City that would produce specific programs and projects for Vigan City.

The DAP Intervention
The Academy’s Center for Organization Development proposes a full three-day live-in workshop. By the end of the three-day workshop, it is expected that the participants will have:

1. Shared planning perspectives for Vigan;

2. revisited the Vigan mission and vision statements and its core values;

3. Gained a common understanding of and expressed commitment to its mission and vision;

4. Identified key strategic issues and goals; and

5. Formulated strategies, objectives, and activities aligned with the strategic directions of the organization.

A total of 50 participants will attend the workshop. This will include the City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Heads of the Executive Departments, NGO Representatives. Mayor Eva and Vice Mayor Franz believe that a live-in, out of town workshop conducted at Hotel Supreme in Baguio City would ensure the undistracted attention and all out participation of all concerned.

A. For the project cost, the Academy requires the total amount of Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand One Hundred Pesos and Seventy Five Centavos (Php 219,100.75) which covers the Professional Services Fees (PSF), Out-of-Pocket Costs (OPC) to be incurred by the project and a 10% Value-Added-Tax (VAT). Such amount has been considered for a total of 50 participants, three facilitators and with the workshop conducted in Baguio City.

The amount of 117,126.00 shall cover food and accommodations/workshop venue at the Supreme Hotel in Baguio City from April 3-5. Transportation cost of Php13,751.00 plus a contingency fund of Php 11,000 has also been allocated. The cost of the project based on the abovementioned items is Php 360,977.75.

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