The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur) is one of the 4 Philippine churches declared as World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO:

1. Immaculate Conception: Intramuros, Manila City
2. Nuestra Senora: Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
3. San Agustin: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
4. Santo Tomas: Miag-ao, Iloilo

According to the UNESCO website, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria to be included on the World Heritage List. These churches fall under the following criteria: (1) to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design; and (2) to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage/s in human history.