When the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) sought to create a comprehensive, sustainable master plan for San Vicente, Palawan, one name stood out: Palafox Associates. Renowned for its commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and visionary urban planning, Palafox Associates was entrusted to lead the conceptualization of a future-ready tourism framework-one that would protect the pristine beauty of San Vicente while enabling responsible economic growth.
But who exactly is Palafox Associates? And why are they regarded as the Philippines’ gold standard in urban planning?
Who is Palafox Associates?
Founded in 1989 by Arch. Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., Palafox Associates is the Philippines’ premier multidisciplinary planning and design firm. The company has completed over 1,700 projects in 45 countries, earning international recognition for its innovative approach to architecture, urban planning, environmental design, and development consulting.
With a team of architects, urban planners, environmentalists, economists, and engineers, Palafox Associates focuses on projects that embody sustainable design, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. Their philosophy is rooted in the balance of people, planet, and profit, making them a trusted partner in projects that require long-term vision and community-centered impact.
The Firm’s Guiding Principles
Palafox Associates follows a planning framework grounded in the following principles:
- Sustainability – Designs must ensure the well-being of present and future generations
- Inclusivity – Plans must uplift local communities and protect cultural heritage
- Disaster Resilience – Urban design should reduce risk from natural calamities
- Walkability and Livability – Cities and towns should promote health, safety, and accessibility
- Environmental Stewardship – Development should enhance, not degrade, the natural environment
These values aligned perfectly with the vision for San Vicente as a model ecotourism destination.
TIEZA Taps Palafox for San Vicente
In collaboration with the Department of Tourism and the San Vicente LGU, TIEZA selected Palafox Associates to craft the Conceptual Tourism Master Plan (CTMP) for the 14,000-hectare Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) in San Vicente.
Palafox’s role was to translate the town’s natural assets into a sustainable blueprint for tourism, ensuring that the plan would:
- Respect the local ecology and biodiversity
- Prevent over-tourism and uncontrolled development
- Distribute economic opportunities across barangays
- Integrate disaster risk reduction into land use planning
- Enable investment while protecting community rights
This assignment became one of the most ambitious and influential tourism development plans in the Philippines.
Key Features of the San Vicente Master Plan
The San Vicente Master Plan reflects Palafox Associates’ signature approach: a mix of vision, realism, and respect for nature. Major features include:
1. Four Tourism Clusters
The town was divided into four strategic clusters, each with its own development theme and zoning parameters:
- Cluster 1: Tourism Center (Long Beach)
- Cluster 2: Community and Services Hub (San Isidro)
- Cluster 3: Nature and Cultural Corridor (Alimanguan and Binga)
- Cluster 4: Agri-Ecotourism Zone (Kemdeng, Sto. Niño, and others)
This approach disperses development, avoiding the concentration of infrastructure and tourism pressure in a single area.
2. Low-Density, Low-Impact Zoning
Palafox recommended strict building height limits, buffer zones, and green spaces, promoting a low-density model that complements the natural environment instead of overpowering it.
3. Walkability and Infrastructure Integration
The plan included pedestrian-friendly routes, access roads, drainage systems, and a layout that encourages walking and cycling-minimizing car dependence and reducing carbon emissions.
4. Community Participation
Local residents, landowners, and fisherfolk were consulted throughout the planning process. The plan reflects a bottom-up approach, with safeguards for indigenous and marginalized groups.
A Global Reputation Backed by Global Work
Palafox Associates is no stranger to global recognition. The firm has been ranked among the top architecture and planning firms in the world by World Architecture Magazine. Its projects span major cities in Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
Some of its most notable works include:
- The Subic Bay Master Plan
- The Dubai Healthcare City
- Redevelopment of Roxas Boulevard
- Urban plans for Boracay and Clark Green City
These projects are testaments to Palafox’s ability to balance urbanization with environmental and cultural preservation.
San Vicente: A Showcase of Vision and Execution
Thanks to Palafox Associates’ master plan, San Vicente has emerged as the Philippines’ first Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone-and as a beacon of sustainable tourism development. The plan has guided the implementation of infrastructure projects, investment policies, zoning regulations, and community tourism initiatives.
In 2021, the town received international acclaim when the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) named San Vicente one of the Top 8 Best Planned Projects in the World, citing the master plan’s climate sensitivity, environmental focus, and inclusive design.
Recognitions
Over the years, Palafox Associates receives various recognition/awards from both local and international institutions. it received, among others, the following awards:
- 89th, World’s Top 100 Architectural Firms, BD World Architecture Magazine, London
- Top 10 Architects in the Philippines, BCI Asia Top Ten Awards
- Model of Excellence Award (Community and Society Field of Urban Renewal) for “Rockwell Center”, Philippine Real Estate Festival
- Model of Excellence Award (Design Aesthetics) for “The Shrine of Jesus: the Truth, the Way and the Life”, Philippine Real Estate Festival
- Model of Excellence Award (Effective Project Management) for “Novartis Headquarters Redevelopment”, Philippine Real Estate Festival
- Model of Excellence Award (Technical and Structural, Design and Aesthetics, Environmental Management and Conservation) for “Proposed Landmark Tower”, Philippine Real Estate Festival
International Landmark Projects of Palafox Associates include:
- Al Khobar Center, KSA
- Askabad and Turkmenbachy Waterfront Developments, Turkmenistan
- Philippine Embassy and Chancery, Brunei Darussalam
- Phu Quoo Island Master Plan, Vietnam
- Pinnacles, USA
- Saigon Golf and Country Club, Vietnam
- Sharjah Healthcare City, UAE
- SM China, China
- Special Needs Children’s Hospital, UAE
- Sudan Bonyan City, Khartoum
- Tala Marina Club, KSA
- Turkmenbashy Hotel, Turkmenistan
- Tzu Chi Schools, Iran
- Urban Planning of Dubai, UAE
- Vien Dong Meridian Tower, Danang, Vietnam
Landmark Projects of Palafox Associates in Metro Manila, Philippines include:
- Alaminos City Conceptual Development Plan, Pangasinan
- Asian Eye Institute, Makati City
- City of Manila Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning, Manila
- Development Bank of the Philippines Executive Office Building, Fort BGC, Taguig
- Forbes Tower, Makati City
- La Mesa Ecopark, Quezon City
- Makati Streetscapes, Makati City
- Manila Polo Club Redevelopment, Makati
- Marikina Riverfront Conceptual Master Plan, Marikina City
- MIA Master Development Plan, Pasay
- Navotas City Conceptual Plan and Master Plan of the Bayfront Business Park, Navotas
- Novartis Corporate Headquarters Redevelopment, Quezon City
- Ortigas Streetscapes, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Quezon City
- Pasig River Rehabilitation Master Plan, Metro Manila
- Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, San Juan City
- Qatar Embassy, Paranaque
- Quezon Memorial Circle Redevelopment, Quezon City
- Rockwell Center, Makati City
- Shrine of Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and the Life, Pasay City
- Supreme Court Centennial Building, Manila
- Taguig City Aestropolis, Taguig City
Other Landmark Projects in the Philippines by Palafox Associates:
- AMA University Town, Cavite
- Camp Netanya, Batangas
- Divine Mercy Healing Shrine, Misamis Oriental
- First Industrial Park, Batangas
- Global Gateway Logistics City, Pampanga
- Iloilo City Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance, Iloilo
- Lyceum of the Philippines, Laguna
- Malayan Colleges, Laguna
- Manila Southwoods, Cavite
- MRT7 Intermodal Transit-Oriented Development, Bulacan
- Paseo del Rio, CDO
- Puerto Princesa Streetscapes, Palawan
- Robinson Malls (San Fernando City, Pampanga, Province of Rizal, Pasig City, EDSA, Mandaluyong)
- Saint Arnold Jansen Church, Rizal
- San Vicente Palawan Conceptual Tourism Master Plan, Palawan
- Santa Elena Golf Course Community, Bulacan
- SM Malls (Las Pinas City, Quezon City, Pampanga, Iloilo)
- Splendido Taal, Batangas
- Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, Province of Maguindanao
- Summit Ridge, Tagaytay City
- The Country Club, Laguna
Insights
Palafox Associates is not just a planning firm-it’s a movement for responsible development. Its work in San Vicente reflects what is possible when visionary planning meets political will and community cooperation.
As San Vicente grows into its role as a world-class ecotourism destination, the foundation laid by Palafox Associates will continue to shape its trajectory. For any town, city, or nation hoping to grow without losing its soul, Palafox shows the way forward.