Image from: Provincial Information & Media Office
The Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD) and the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office (BPTO), conducted a Philippine Registry of Heritage (PRH) Technical Assistance Workshop on November 12-13 at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City. Organized in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the workshop aimed to enhance the skills of local cultural workers, municipal tourism officers, and key stakeholders in documenting and safeguarding Bohol’s rich cultural heritage.
Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado extended a warm welcome message delivered by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President and Committee on Culture & Arts Chairman, Lawrence Xavier Ancla.
Emphasizing the significance of this workshop, Ancla stated that Bohol, being blessed with abundant historical sites, cultural properties, and living traditions, has an urgent need for initiatives to preserve and document its unique heritage.
“By empowering them, they can lead in documenting their local heritage; they can better convey their stories of struggles and triumphs, contributing to the growth in local cultural inventories,” said Ancla.
Emerson Pinos, officer-in-charge of the Center for Culture and Arts Development, highlighted the commitment of Governor Aumentado and Vice Governor Tita Virtudazo Baja to preserving Bohol’s heritage.
“The Aumentado administration is deeply committed to supporting local government units and cultural agencies in protecting Bohol’s cultural legacy,” Pinos said, underscoring the value of Bohol as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark and its responsibility to safeguard historical and cultural treasures.
Titled “Kabiling Bol-anon: Philippine Registry of Heritage Workshop,” the two-day training provided an orientation on the PRH, updated participants on recent heritage legislation, and reviewed the documentation process for cultural properties. It also covered legal mandates, including the amended Heritage Law (RA 11961) and requirements set by the DILG-NCCA Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-001.
The workshop aimed to support Local Culture and Arts Councils (LCACs) in maintaining a comprehensive Local Cultural Inventory (LCI) and fulfilling documentary requirements.
The Philippine Registry of Heritage, or Talapamana ng Pilipinas, is a national repository of information on cultural properties vital to Filipino heritage. Participants were given an overview of RA 11961, also known as the Heritage Law, by Micah Carando, Senior Registry Coordinator of the NCCA, who explained how the law strengthens cultural heritage conservation through initiatives like cultural mapping and education programs.
On the first day, Roland Gregorio, Cultural Registry Data Officer, introduced the participants to registry forms and guided them through a mock registry exercise on documenting various cultural properties.
On the second day, Gaia Mercado, Senior Cultural Registry Data Officer, instructed participants on the basics of cultural property documentation. Divided into teams, participants conducted mock documentation exercises, presenting their outputs to assess their understanding and skills gained during the workshop.
The day concluded with discussions led by Carando on maintaining an LCI, crucial for long-term preservation efforts.
Bohol’s status as a UNESCO Global Geopark underscores the importance of cultural heritage conservation as an integral part of the province’s identity. The workshop supports the Aumentado administration’s strategic governance roadmap, which envisions a Boholano community proud of its cultural heritage and aware of its role in shaping a strong, authentic identity.
The provincial government remains committed to preserving Bohol’s heritage—both natural and man-made—not only as a legacy for future generations but also as a foundational element of local pride and unity.
By: Mary Lou Regis/ The Provincial Information and Media Office