| Batanes bids for Unesco heritage site nod By Charlie Lagasca (philstar.com) February 08, 2011 |
Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The country’s northernmost province of Batanes is again making a bid for inclusion in the list of world heritage sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said.
Purita Licas, PIA director for Cagayan Valley, said that despite failing for the past five years to achieve this goal, Batanes leaders believe that with the further awareness of the public in the importance of preserving the unique culture of the islands, the province will eventually earn the Unesco nod.
However, Dr. Florentino Hornedo, Philippine commissioner to Unesco, said that Unesco’s declaration of the tiny island province as a world heritage site will eventually depend on the high degree of commitment of its leaders and residents to help preserve its rich cultural heritage.
One of the region’s five provinces, Batanes, also the smallest in the country, both in population and land area, is inhabited by the Ivatan indigenous people. It comprises 10 islets located about 162 km north of the Luzon mainland in the Luzon Strait.
“No amount of inspirational messages from government leaders could (make) preservation of culture (a reality) without the (appreciation) and sincere awareness of the people concerned (for) their own culture,” said Hornedo, himself, an Ivatan and the first ethno-historian from Batanes.
Hornedo made this statement as provincial and town officials expressed desire to push for the province’s eventual inclusion in the list of Unesco heritage sites, soliciting commitments from the general public in a summit on Batanes’ natural and cultural heritage conservation.
However, Dr. Florentino Hornedo, Philippine commissioner to Unesco, said that Unesco’s declaration of the tiny island province as a world heritage site will eventually depend on the high degree of commitment of its leaders and residents to help preserve its rich cultural heritage.
One of the region’s five provinces, Batanes, also the smallest in the country, both in population and land area, is inhabited by the Ivatan indigenous people. It comprises 10 islets located about 162 km north of the Luzon mainland in the Luzon Strait.
Hornedo made this statement as provincial and town officials expressed desire to push for the province’s eventual inclusion in the list of Unesco heritage sites, soliciting commitments from the general public in a summit on Batanes’ natural and cultural heritage conservation.
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