University of Northern Philippines students from the College of Architecture and Built Environment captured the top prize and 2nd Runner-Up honors in the Vigan Legislative Awareness Week 2026 Ordinance Pitch Competition on September 29, 2026 held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall of Vigan City Hall, with other UNP Architecture students also securing spots among the Top 10 finalists.
The top prize was clinched by Jake Jadormio Natividad, Charles Natividad, and Louis Gabriele Real for their innovative proposed ordinance, “An Ordinance Establishing a Municipal System for the Recovery, Documentation, Conservation, Storage, and Reuse of Traditional Building Materials from Heritage Structures in Vigan City.”
The proposal seeks to establish a municipal system for managing traditional building materials recovered from heritage structures in Vigan City, covering their documentation, conservation, storage, and potential reuse. It provides a framework for identifying and preserving materials that may retain architectural and cultural value.
Meanwhile, Marjhay Anne Rabara, Ara Ariana Rabo, Mark Benson Rabena, Cyrille Irish Sabalburo, and Vennisse Daniella Tilan secured the 2nd Runner-Up distinction with their proposed ordinance, “A Proposed Ordinance Establishing Scheduled Vehicle-Free and Vehicle-Restricted Periods in Designated Areas of Vigan City’s Historic Core and Providing Measures for Pedestrian Mobility, Inclusive Access, Heritage Conservation, and People-Centered Urban Development.”
Their proposal seeks to create designated vehicle-free and vehicle-restricted periods within the city’s historic core, aiming to improve pedestrian mobility and inclusive access while strengthening heritage conservation and advancing a more people-centered approach to urban development.
Other UNP Architecture students were also among the Top 10 finalists, bringing multiple entries from the College into the final round of the competition. The participating students are BS Architecture 5B students who joined the competition as an academic exercise for SPL 150: Environmental Planning and Sustainable Management of Cultural Heritage Sites, facilitated by Ar. Giuseppe Fidel Noe Alonzo.
The competition gave the students an opportunity to develop and present proposed local ordinances addressing concerns related to Vigan’s historic environment. Their proposals translated architectural and planning concepts into legislative measures concerning heritage management, mobility, and the conservation and reuse of the city’s built resources.
Article by Charles Angelo Andrada
