ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Philippines — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has urged the working committee on the city’s heritage zone development to pool all means and start working on the foundation of the plan that will enable the city to preserve its historical and heritage structures.

Pamintuan issued this challenge during the recent Capability Planning Seminar held earlier this week at the city hall.

Among those who attended the round table discussion, in preparation for the soon-to-rise heritage zone here, are the city’s tourism, planning and development, and engineers’ office; and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) headed by Architect Melencio Manalo.

The discussion dwelled on the theories and principles of planning and its processes, techniques and the area development planning vital in rebuilding and preserving the remaining heritage structures that mark the roots of the Angeleños.

Pamintuan stressed the endeavor to develop a more culturally-aware Angeles in spite of it being an entertainment metropolis.

“Angeles is a two-faceted city. At one part, we have a busy and bustling entertainment district that attracts both locals and tourists looking for a unique experience. On the other side is our heritage region, where we have the Museo ning Angeles, the Holy Rosary Parish, and the Old Pamintuan Mansion, among others which stir the cultural spirit of the city,” the mayor said.

“I have no doubts that the people here are truly capable in reaching our goals that will ultimately allow Angeles City to fully appreciate its heritage and historical significance,” he added.

Pamintuan is optimistic that the project will boost not only the cultural awareness of the Angeleños but also the city’s tourism industry.

He disclosed that the P25-million fund assistance this year coming from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be used for the city’s infrastructure projects which are crucial to local tourism development.

Pamintuan added, “with the imminent transfer of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), we can surely expect a lot of visitors here in Angeles.”

“It’s going to be a very busy 2012, but I know that our pooled resources, skills, and capabilities will really pull us through.” he said.