HB05110: CULTURAL MAPPING LAW - NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE AMENDMENT
This bill aims to strengthen the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage by amending Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009". Key amendments include a refined definition of "adaptive reuse" to emphasize the significance and value of sites while ensuring sustainability, and a comprehensive definition of "cultural mapping" as a systematic process for identifying, recording, and using cultural heritage resources for community empowerment. The bill also introduces "natural heritage" as flora and fauna and geological formations of cultural significance. Furthermore, it mandates Local Government Units (LGUs) to conduct comprehensive cultural mapping of their areas and to coordinate with various government agencies for this purpose, with all findings to be entered into the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property.
The impact and significance of this bill are substantial in preserving the rich cultural tapestry of the Philippines. By mandating cultural mapping at the LGU level and promoting inter-agency coordination, it ensures a more systematic and inclusive approach to identifying and documenting cultural heritage, including natural heritage and the traditions of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs). The bill also strengthens cultural heritage education programs across all education levels, emphasizing the protection, conservation, and preservation of cultural property, which will foster greater public appreciation and engagement in safeguarding the nation's heritage for future generations.