NHCP exec to Benguet execs: include mining sites in heritage mapping

LA TRINIDAD: An official of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is urging the Benguet provincial government to include mining sites in identifying areas that qualify under the Cultural Mapping Law. NHCP Secretary General Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, in his message during the awarding of the Benguet Indigenous Youth Arts Guild (BIYAG) at the provincial capitol in the municipality of La Trinidad on Monday, said mining plays a big role in the province's history and economy. 'We are not promoting mining per se but we want to promote that industrial heritage contributed to the history of the province. So, gusto natin makita, especially kung, may mga natira pa na colonial period structures sa mga historic mines natin na pwede natin i-convert later on sa tourism structures (We are not promoting mining per se but we want to promote that industrial heritage contributed to the history of the province. So, we want to see if there are remaining colonial period structures in historical mine sites t hat we can, later on, convert as tourism structures),' he said. 'At the same time, it can become a tourism attraction for the province just like what they are doing in other countries,' Henares also pointed out that including areas as part of a province's heritage sites would enable protection for said areas as well as become a possible income source, which would help its preservation. 'When a site becomes a historical site, it simply means that we need to protect what makes that thing historical,' Henares said. In identifying a historical site, there is a need to have the proper mindset to harness historical sites and attractions for use in sustainable development, he said. 'I really want to stress the word sustainable. Hind natin sinisira ang kultura at kalikasan natin (We do not destroy culture and the environment),' he said. Henares cited that with the passage of the cultural mapping law, the government could spend for the preservation and protection of a place, even if it is privately owned. 'It i s easier to preserve than remove a historical site as most of them have sturdy structures,' the executive added. Source: Philippines News Agency