Quirino Governor and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) President Dax Cua on Sunday urged local chief executives (LCEs) to rally for the passage of a measure that seeks to strengthen the National Cultural Heritage Law through cultural mapping and an enhanced cultural heritage education program.
House Bill 5110, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives, expands the coverage of natural property of cultural significance to include “natural heritage” or flora and fauna, physical, geological, and physiographical formations of the environment and other related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland, or marine, as well as the ecosystem services they provide.
The bill states that threatened species of flora and fauna identified in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Law, are also classified as natural property of cultural significance.
“Our country is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. In fact, the Philippines is recognized as the global center for marine biodiversity. Strengthening the National Cultural Heritage Law to include all our natural properties that have cultural significance will go a long way in helping preserve both our precious natural resources and our cultural heritage as Filipinos,” Cua stressed.
The proposed law defines natural property of cultural significance as natural heritage characterized by intense beauty, endemicity, and unique biological diversity under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law. This includes other protected areas recognized internationally upon the recommendation of the Philippine government, such as heritage parks, biosphere reserves, and ramsar sites or wetlands of international importance.
“Inaanyayahan ko ang aking mga kapwa local chief executives at lahat ng member-leagues ng ULAP na suportahan ang panukalang batas na ito at iparating natin kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na mahalaga para sa ating mga lugar na maisabatas ito dahil malaking tulong ito upang mapangalagaan ang ating endangered plants and animals,” Cua said.
The bill states that threatened species of flora and fauna identified in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Law, are also classified as natural property of cultural significance.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga kaibigan sa House of Representatives sa pagpasa ng napakahalagang panukalang batas na ito. I am glad that the House, in its collective wisdom, has seen the significance of preserving our heritage and cultural identity,” he added.
ULAP is the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units (LGUs) and locally elected government officials and serves as an avenue for local government officials in the Philippines to discuss relevant national and local issues. Its members include the League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Liga ng mga Barangay, League of Vice Governors of the Philippines, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines, Vice Mayors League of the Philippines, Philippine Councilors League, the National Movement of Young Legislators, and the Lady Local Legislators League.
