Cultural mapping of Iloilo’s 4th, 5th districts begins

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The capacity-building initiative for the cultural mapping of the Fourth and Fifth Districts of Iloilo commenced on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Iloilo New Agri (INA) Farm, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

This event signals the start of a week-long training designed to preserve and document the rich cultural heritage of the middle and northern areas of the province.

Led by the Iloilo State University of Science and Technology (ISUST) under project leader Prof. Genevieve Santorio-Palmares, the undertaking is part of the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) project.

It is supported by President Pro Tempore Senator Loren Legarda, in accordance with Republic Act 1196 or the Cultural Mapping Law.

The inaugural day featured a series of lectures on the fundamental aspects of cultural heritage and mapping, discussing the definition, importance, frameworks, methodologies, ethics, and the specifics of mapping tangible-immovable heritage.

These sessions aim to prepare the 105 participants, including mappers, study leaders, editors, consultants, research assistants, project staff, and partners from various educational institutions and Local Government Units (LGUs), for their upcoming tasks.

Dr. Johnny Dolor, representing ISUST President Dr. Nordy Siason, explained the project’s importance.

“This initiative is a testament to our dedication to research and extension and a critical move to protect our cultural identity and heritage. Cultural mapping helps us preserve our traditions, languages, practices, and symbols for future generations, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive future.”

Prof. Santorio-Palmares extended gratitude to Senator Loren Legarda for her visionary leadership, noting the project’s far-reaching impact.

“We’re not just meeting a requirement; we’re honoring our responsibility to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage. This project paves the way and inspires other regions to emulate,” she stated.

NCCA Commissioner Arvin Manuel Villalon highlighted cultural heritage’s role in providing identity and continuity.

“Our cultural heritage is key to understanding our identity and origins, crucial amidst globalization and rapid global changes,” he added.

The CMPG project is a collective endeavor between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), several state universities and colleges across Panay and Guimaras, including ISUST, and various LGUs.

It aims to create a comprehensive inventory of the region’s cultural assets as part of a larger strategy to use cultural heritage for sustainable development and policy-making at both local and national levels.

The week’s training will include practical fieldwork, mapping exercises, and additional lectures, setting the stage for an in-depth cultural mapping of the region’s tangible and intangible heritages.

The results of this project are expected to facilitate cultural heritage preservation and promotion, community development, planning and policy-making, economic growth, educational materials, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of cultural policies. (Text by Herman Lagon; photos by Ricky Ramos and Herman Lagon)