A. In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, they implemented the Vigan Conservation Program as a Tool for Development. The program focused on undertaking legislative measures to help conserve their cultural heritage; This includes defining boundaries of historic sites, having guidelines on restoration to be done on historic structures, creating a multi-sectoral council which monitors historical conservation and development, and also the allotment of funds for theor properties and the promotion of their cultural heritage. The program also allowed and promoted the use of their cultural heritage in order to generate economic livelihood. On the other hand, Escolta, Manila implemented the Manila Chinatown-Binondo Urban Revitalization Plan and the Manila Comprehensive Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Ordinance. These strategies focused on promoting cultural awareness and appreciation of the value Escolta holds; These were done through walking tour expositions, cultural orientations, and also the implementation of adaptive re-use of the structures. The approaches presented in the paper regarding the conservation of cultural heritage used or referenced Eric Zerrudo's four-phase model on the development focused on cultural heritage. The four phases of the model are: (1) awareness that can be done through cultural mapping and information campaigns, (2) appreciation which is improved through tourism and heritage-related activities, (3) protection of the cultural properties, and (4) utilization wherein the community can utilize their properties to develop culturally and economically. Same was done with the Cultural-Oriented Economic Development model by Van Der Borg and Russo. Their model aims to develop the cultural sector as well as the creative economy and promoting sustainability resulting to economic benefits.
B. The Culture-Oriented Economic Development model by Van Der Borg and Russo (2005) is based on three assumptions. First is that developing the cultural sector can help develop the widespread creative production sector. Second is that the urban environment's competitiveness is improved by a creative economy. And lastly, the growth process of a culture-oriented economy must include spatial balance, social permeability, and cultural identity. These assumptions are not really restrictive to limit a country based on its financial capability or state of living; This means that a country can attain these with the right management, plans, and efforts. Just like the case of Vigan, Ilocos Sur where they promoted awareness and appreciation of their cultural heritage, as well as implement adaptive re-use to help their economy grow. Although these assumptions may seem simple enough when read, but in reality, it is much harder to achieve. This could be achieved not only with the help of the government by creating legislative measures like in Vigan but also with the efforts of the community; Community efforts may contribute a lot especially to develop a cultural identity and use it to improve the state of their society and economy. I believe that the Global South, or third world countries are fully capable of attaining the assumptions mentioned in the model with the right management, community efforts, and the drive to keep their cultural identity.