Training, activities for cultural mapping on

Training and activities since this year’s second quarter are ongoing for the city’s heritage and culture mapping, following the approval of council resolution no. 138, series of 2021 authorizing Mayor Benjamin Magalong to enter into a contract with National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair Arsenio Lizaso. 

A target of 100 culture and heritage sites need to be mapped before Dec. 17, it was announced during the management committee meeting last Tuesday. In earlier filed proposals, tangible and intangible cultural heritage treasures were asked to be identified and tagged for preservation.  

The council resolution is anchored on Section 15, article 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Section 16 of the Local Government Code, and Section 12 of RA 7356, an act creating the National Commission for the Arts (NCA) and establishment fund for culture and the arts and other purposes. 

Other bases are Republic Act 10066 or the Natural Cultural Heritage Act of 2009: for the protection and conservation of the National Cultural Heritage and strengthening the NCCA and affiliated agencies.

All other existing laws are included as basis, in order “to conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s heritage and resources,” thus a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the LGU, represented by the mayor, and the NCCA represented by Chair Lizaso. 

All activities for the culture mapping project would redound on understanding the basic framework on culture and heritage appreciating the value of various cultural resources of the community, and application of different tools and methods for gathering, classifying and analyzing local cultural data and information, the resolution states. All other proposals and materials are being considered.

Plans, programs and activities shall be updated the soonest, it was known from the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), as the implementing arm of the local government unit. – Julie G. Fianza