Cultural mapping operation of Iloilo’s 4th, 5th districts kicks off

ILOILO - The capacity building for the cultural mapping of the Fourth and Fifth Districts of Iloilo kicked off Monday at Iloilo New Agri (INA) Farm in Barotac Nuevo town in Iloilo province.

This specific event marks the beginning of a week-long training session to preserve and document the rich cultural heritage of the middle and northern parts of the province. 

The initiative, spearheaded by the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) under project leader Prof. Genevieve Santorio-Palmares, is part of the Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMPG) project, which has the support from President Pro Sen. Tempore Loren Legarda, in compliance with Republic Act 1196 or the Cultural Mapping Law.

The opening day featured a series of lectures addressing the fundamental aspects of cultural heritage and mapping. The lectures covered the definition and importance of culture and cultural heritage, the frameworks, methodologies, and ethics of cultural mapping, and the specifics of mapping tangible-immovable heritage. These sessions are designed to equip the 105 participants, comprising mappers, study leaders, editors, consultants, research assistants, project staff, and partners from various educational institutions and Local Government Units (LGUs), with the necessary knowledge and skills for the task ahead.

Dr. Johnny Dolor, on behalf of ISUFST President Dr. Nordy Siason, highlighted the project's significance, stating, "This initiative is not only a testament to our commitment to research and extension but also a crucial step in safeguarding our cultural identity and heritage in our community. Through cultural mapping, we aim to secure our traditions, languages, practices, and symbols for future generations, fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive tomorrow."

Prof Santorio-Palmares thanked Sen. Loren Legarda for her visionary leadership, underscoring the project's broader impact. "We are not just fulfilling a project requirement; we are upholding our duty to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage and traditions. This initiative sets a precedent and serves as an inspiration for other regions to follow," she said.

NCCA Commissioner Arvin Manuel Villalon emphasized the value of cultural heritage in providing a sense of identity and continuity. "Our cultural heritage is fundamental to understanding who we are and where we come from. It is essential in the face of globalization and the rapid changes in our world," he remarked.

The CMPG project represents a collaborative effort involving the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), state universities and colleges across Panay and Guimaras (including ISUFST), and various LGUs aimed at creating a comprehensive inventory of the region's cultural assets. This initiative is part of a broader effort to leverage cultural heritage for sustainable development and policy-making at the local and national levels.

The training week will continue with practical fieldwork, mapping exercises, and further lectures, laying the groundwork for a detailed cultural mapping of the region's tangible-immovable, natural, intangible, and tangible-movable heritages. The outcomes of this project are hoped to open the doors for cultural heritage preservation and promotion, community development and identity, planning and policy-making, economic development, educational resources, cultural exchange and dialogue, and enhancement of cultural policies. (Herman Lagon)