Manila: May as National Heritage Month is the perfect time for Filipinos to honor the country's rich cultural legacy and embrace their shared responsibility in preserving it for future generations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Loren Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, emphasized in a news release that National Heritage Month, established through Presidential Proclamation No. 439 in 2003, serves as a reminder of the valuable lessons and forward path provided by the country's past. The proclamation aims to raise public consciousness and support for the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage.

Legarda expressed gratitude for the diverse elements of Filipino cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of historic sites, literature, music, and food that enrich the cultural identity and sensory experience of Filipinos. She also pointed out the significance of the Cultural Mapping Act, which requires local government units to document cultural properties and contribute to the Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties (PRECUP). This centralized database is crucial for safeguarding the nation's heritage.

The senator noted that the Cultural Mapping Act is designed to enhance awareness of cultural sites, practices, and legacies, ensuring they are preserved and passed down to future generations.