In July 2022, a devastating magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck the northwestern Philippines, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The earthquake, along with its aftershocks, resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left nearly 600 others injured. The total damage to infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at 1.6 billion pesos ($27.3 million), highlighting the significant impact of this natural disaster on the region.
One of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake was the historic city of Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. The earthquake caused severe damage to approximately 100 ancestral homes in Vigan, as well as the city’s 19th-century cathedral and bell tower. Many of these historic buildings are privately owned, making it challenging for residents to secure funding for repairs and restoration.
Among those affected by the earthquake was homeowner Milagros “Mitos” Belofsky, whose family owns the Syquia Mansion, one of the largest Spanish-era homes in Vigan. Belofsky received a phone call informing her of the damage to their historic house while she was in Manila. She immediately made the seven-hour journey to Vigan and was devastated to see the extent of the destruction. The Syquia Mansion, along with many other heritage houses in Vigan, have yet to be fully restored two years after the earthquake.
The families responsible for the upkeep of these historic homes face numerous challenges in the restoration process, including the high costs of repairs, finding skilled craftsmen, and ensuring that the houses are rehabilitated using appropriate techniques and materials to preserve their structural integrity and authenticity.
In response to the urgent need for post-disaster recovery in Vigan, UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in the Philippines collaborated to launch a project aimed at supporting the heritage community in the city. The project involved a team of experts conducting detailed assessments of damaged houses and providing capacity-building workshops for homeowners and local craftsmen.
Funded through UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), the project marked the first initiative in the Philippines supported by the fund. Moe Chiba, Head of the Culture Unit at UNESCO’s regional office in Jakarta, emphasized the importance of the HEF Vigan project in supplementing the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the city’s ancestral homes. He noted that most of the government funding was directed towards the restoration of publicly owned monuments, such as the cathedral and bell tower.
The project aimed to address the limited funding available to support the owners of privately owned heritage houses in Vigan. By providing technical expertise, training, and resources, the initiative sought to empower homeowners and craftsmen to undertake the necessary repairs and restoration work to safeguard Vigan’s cultural heritage for future generations.
The collaborative efforts of UNESCO, ICOMOS, and local stakeholders in Vigan underscored the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage in the face of natural disasters. The earthquake served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of historic structures to seismic events and the need for proactive measures to ensure their resilience and longevity.
As Mitos Belofsky and other residents of Vigan continue to work towards the restoration of their ancestral homes, the support and expertise provided by organizations like UNESCO play a crucial role in helping communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The ongoing efforts to preserve Vigan’s heritage serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of the people who call this historic city home.
