UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines conducted a workshop entitled “Moving Forward: World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve Nomination last July 1 – 4, 2014 at the Vigan Convention Center. The objectives of the 4-day seminar were to examine the viability of nominating the properties currently listed in the PH Tentative List for World Heritage Nomination; constitute a PH Tentative List for Biosphere Reserve Nomination and to convene the site managers of PH World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. NatCom is tasked to ensure that the Philippine’s Tentative List of properties to be nominated to the World Heritage List is updated and contains the best representation of the country’s heritage, bearing potential Outstanding Universal Value. As of date, the current list has 28 properties (13 cultural, 14 natural, and 1 mixed site) and was last updated in 2005. States Parties are requested to update its Tentative List every ten years and ideally, the tentative list should not contain too many properties considering that the nomination of the sites should be done continuously. The tentative lists for World Heritage Nomination include Church Complex of Patrocinio de Maria, Boljo-on (Cebu), Church of La Asuncion de la Nuestra Senora, Maragondon, Church of San Joaquin, (Iloilo), Church Complex of San Isidro Labrador, Lazi, (Siquijor), Church of San Mattias, Tumauini, (Isabela) Butuan archaeological sites, Kabayan mummy burial caves, Neolithic shell midden sites of Lal-lo and Gattaran municipalities, Paleolithic archaeological sites in Cagayan Valley, Petroglyphs and Petrographs of the Philippines, San Sebastian Church, Spanish colonial fortifications of the Philippines,Tabon Complex and all of Lipuun, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (Bohol) (2006, Ligawasan Marsh (Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, & Cotabato) (2006), Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (South Cotabato and Sarangani Province) (2006), Mount Malindang Range Natural Park (Misamis Occidental) (2006), Mount Pulag National Park (Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya Provinces) (2006),Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Sulu) (2006), Apo Reef Natural Park (Occidental Mindoro) (2006), El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (Palawan) (2006), Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro) (2006), Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and outlying areas inclusive of the buffer zone (Isabela and Aurora) (2006), Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (1993), Mount Mantalingahan, Mount Isarog and Mount Iriga, Mount Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins and Coron Island Natural Biotic Area.
Speakers of the workshop on day 1 include Dr. Virginia A. Miralao, Secretary-General, Philippines National Commission for UNESCO, Architect Michael F. Manalo, Chairperson, Culture Committee, Mr. Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, Vice-Chairperson – Science and Technology Committee and Professor Eric Zerrudo, Vice- Chairperson – Culture Committee. The Role of the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO was discussed by Ambassador Cristina Ortega, former Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, the role of the cultural agencies of the Philippines was also discussed by Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz- Angeles for NCCA and Director Jeremy Barns for the National Museum of the Philippines.
On day 2, Mr. John Pontillas and Mr. Alex Marcaida of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development talked about UNESCO: Man and Biosphere Programme. The Role of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource- Biodiversity Management Bureau was explained by Ms. Teresita T Blastique of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS). Overview of Case Studies were presented; Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina presented the Best Practice for World Heritage Site Management of Vigan City which was well applauded followed by the Inscription of a Biosphere Reserve: Province of Palawan both by Mr. John Pontillas and Mr. Alex Marcaida; Camarines Sur: Biosphere Nomination was discussed by Dr. Josphine F. Cruz, Vice President for Research and Development, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture. A special meeting for local authorities in charge of managing the World Heritage Sites was also organized in the afternoon to address respective concerns on the conservation management of each site. Ms. Mavic Punay of UNESCO Philippines informed that the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of Vigan was finally approved by the World Heritage Committee, though there is a clamor that the name of Vigan in the nomination dossier will be changed from Historic Town of Vigan to Historic City of Vigan.
Day 3 of the workshop was dedicated in drafting the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of all the nominated sites, as well as the presentation of their output and nomination strategy. On day 4, all participants went on a whole day Ilocandia Tour.
//joanne