Bacolod City – Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez announced that his Cultural Mapping bill has been passed into law.
Known as Republic Act 11961, authored by Benitez in the House of Representatives, it mandates the cultural mapping and provides vital safeguards for heritage sites, parks, and the diverse range of natural cultural wonders such as wetlands, geoparks, and biospheres, among others.
Benitez underscored the need to cultivate the value of cultural appreciation and preservation, as well as the vital role of every citizen in protecting and promoting cultural heritage.
“Our heritage is a testament to our collective identity and a source of pride for our people. Cultural heritage is the soul of our nation and the manifestation of our national and communal identity. Its continued conservation and promotion is therefore of paramount importance,” the lawmaker said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also sponsored the Cultural Mapping Bill in the Senate, which aims to further enhance the preservation of the Philippines’ cultural assets through increased participation and involvement of local government units and communities.
The cultural mapping has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an essential tool in preserving the world’s heritage and cultural assets in architecture, traditional dwellings, indigenous skills, and natural heritage.
It has supported several mapping projects with indigenous communities worldwide, including collaborating with the Ifugao, the Higaunon, the Manobo, the Subanen, and the Banwaon in the Philippines.
UNESCO also recognizes culture as a critical source for mitigating and adapting to climate change. It is fully committed to addressing the impact of climate change on culture and enhancing the potential of culture for global climate action.
Prior to its passage into law, the congressional office of Benitez held a three-day Youth Forum on Heritage in Silay City, which participated in by 60 participants in the Third District.
“In the hands of the youth lies the power to breathe new life into our cultural legacy, to infuse it with their own unique perspectives, and to pass it on to the future generations, richer and more vibrant than ever before,” Benitez said. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)