Introduction
Cultural heritage mapping has been recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a crucial tool and technique in preserving the world’s intangible and tangible cultural assets. It involves a community identifying and documenting local cultural resources. Through this research, cultural elements are recorded – the tangibles like galleries, craft industries, distinctive landmarks, local events and industries, as well as the intangibles like memories, personal histories, attitudes and values.
After researching the elements that make a community unique, cultural mapping involves initiating a range of community activities or projects, to record, conserve and use these elements. …the most fundamental goal of cultural mapping is to help communities recognize, celebrate, and support cultural diversity for economic, social and regional development (Keynote speech, Clark, Sutherland & Young 1995. Cultural Mapping Symposium and Workshop, Australia).
As mandated by Republic Act 10066, Article V, Section 14, Local Government Units are required to conduct a comprehensive cultural heritage mapping training of their areas, including tangible and intangible heritage and natural and built heritage structures. The LGUs should mobilize and partner with concerned agencies to ensure prompt and effective communication and implementation of this law. All findings and outputs shall then be submitted and registered in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property for all to learn from, identify with, value, and appreciate.