Philippine Department of Tourism urges preservation of World Heritage Sites

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has underscored the importance of protecting and preserving the country’s sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Vigan Ilocos Sur

This was stated by Tourism Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano during the recently-concluded World Heritage Travel Expo at the Venetian Convention and Exhibition Center in Macau.

“We appeal to the people and tourists who visit, and the local communities, to take care of these sites. These are sources of our livelihood as much as they are wellsprings of our national pride. We also owe their preservation not only to our fellow Filipinos but to the world and our future generation,” said Durano.

Durano extended his call to the other sectors, stressing: “We are also seeking help from schools, local government units and the basic unit of our society, the family, to enthuse our children in taking concrete steps to promote and give value to our heritage sites, as well as to our other tourism attractions.”

Five of the country’s sites in the UNESCO World Heritage list include the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, and the Historic Town of Vigan.

The Baroque Churches made it to the list because of their European Baroque architectural style designed by Chinese and Filipino craftsmen.

Of the four churches located in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miag-ao, one was built by the Spanish in the late 16th century.

Next on the list is the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park which “is an example of a site that has derived great benefit from its World Heritage status,” said Durano.

He said that alongside the worldwide attention, the Tubbataha Reef harnesses tourism receipts, impels preservation and entices involvement from the local community through its heritage site repute.

A testament to the country as island paradise, the next heritage site is another waterscape, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

The Subterranean Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. for Tourism Planning and Promotions said “it’s good to note that Subterranean Park is No. 1 on the New 7 Wonders of Nature” ranking list.

“It stands out from the rest because it’s a river that has strong tidal behaviors, due to its direct connection to the sea. It’s also every conservationist’s dream –- a river that seamlessly flows into a mountain and forest landscape forming a teeming habitat of biodiversity,” said Jarque.

Another notable site is the Ifugao Rice Terraces, a landscape recognized for its unparalleled feats of history, environment, culture, engineering, and agro-ecosystem.

The Rice Terraces is a 2,000-year-old enduring art form and scientific design built by hand and simple tools.

“One of the distinctive monuments to the genius of our ancestors, the Rice Terraces has already been declared as an endangered heritage, which all the more spurs our concern and support,” said Jarque.

Also up North is the historic town of Vigan which is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.

Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in Asia.

The UNESCO attributes the inclusion of Vigan to its unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning, and its exceptionally intact and well preserved concept of a European trading town in Asia.

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