Paradise Philippines

Moreover, it involves the participation of the major stakeholders, not just the so-called "conservation experts" but most importantly, the members of the community. This is precisely what I termed as advancing the recognition of the "Participatory Filipino"—an apt cultural trait considering the terms in the local language that connotes involvement (Bisaya: pagsalmot, pakig-lambigit, pakig-uban, pag-apil, pakigsandurot, etc.)

Together the various stakeholders must understand, appreciate, and inculcate in themselves the combined historical, socio-cultural, artistic, scientific significance and uniqueness of our heritage sites and cultural symbols.

D. Localization of National Policies and Prioritization for Public Investments

Agri-industrial sectors have massively extracted resources from the region, including the non-renewable resources, yet very limited resource has been plowed back to the region in support of the preservation, conservation, and restoration of our cultural and natural heritage. Cultural festivals are held in the guise of promoting our cultural heritage, but in most cases, the goals of these festivals are mainly to boost the culture-economy and tourism potentials generated by these events.

While there have been significant strides in our advocacy efforts towards effecting national policies, there have been very few efforts done in localizing these responsive policies. We hope to see in the immediate future the realization of the Local Codes on "Culture and Development," and the establishment of Local Councils for Culture, Arts and Heritage in every barangay, municipality, city and province in the entire Mindanao and Sulu islands.

Moreover, we hope that a significant portion of public spending responds not only to the basic needs of communities, but also supports their cultural rights and cultural needs. We hope local government units can find creative means of mandating resource-extractive industries and corporations to invest in culture and heritage development programs, thus plowing back the extracted resources for community cultural development.

We believe that cultural action plays a vital role in the development process. Indeed, people have to be housed and fed, but the inability of the communities to creatively express themselves, to transform their situation and chart a future of their own, is as dangerous to the human condition as the lack of food and shelter.

I had tried to outline the legal basis and the cultural context of the advocacy efforts towards the protection and conservation of our heritage sites. Likewise, several issues and concerns have been identified and raised. We hope that this august body can locate several action-oriented programs and mechanisms that are appropriate and viable and which can be implemented in situ.

In ending, allow me to remind all of us that the impact of Development and Global Change on the diversity of our cultural heritage and symbols is akin to a two-sided blade, which can either enhance or threaten our local cultures. Hence, the urgent need to implement our action-agenda Now!

"The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expressions… The State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage resources, as well as artistic creations."—Philippine Constitution (Article XIV, sections 14 and 15)

"A consensus is emerging, in the Philippines and abroad that people and the integrity of nature and culture, are at the center of development initiatives. Therefore, a central goal of development is the improvement of human well being, and the quality of life. The development of people and their culture - both as the ultimate end and as a means for attaining that goal - has been the guiding principle for development policies and strategies."—Philippine Agenda 21

"Using Culture, Arts and Media in promoting national unity while preserving cultural diversity. Promoting and expanding the use of various forms of media, including electronic and indigenous media, as creative channels for the inculcation of values and propagation of responsive citizenship, leadership, moral recovery, gender sensitivity, increased productivity and a culture of peace and unity."—Policy and Strategy: MTPD Plan 1999-2004

A Paper on ADVOCACY FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE read during the Regional Tourism Council Assembly held on September 3, 1999 at General Santos City.