The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] The convention established that cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Meanwhile, natural heritage consists of physical and biological formations, geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened flora and fauna), and sites used scientifical research and/or conservation, as well as those regarded for its natural aesthetic.[2]
The Republic of the Philippines ratified the convention on September 19, 1985, making its historical and natural sites eligible for inclusion on the list. The country had its first sites (the Baroque Churches and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park) included in 1993, and now has six sites, the latest being the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in 2014. Of those six sites, three each are cultural and natural.[3] In addition, the government of the Philippines has also put 19 sites on the tentative list, meaning that they intend to consider them for nomination in the future.[4] The lack of World Heritage Sites were mainly reasoned to little awareness among locals, the absence of competent people involved, and the lack of government funding.[5]
World Heritage Sites
UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.[6]
Site | Image | Location (region) | UNESCO data | Year listed | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baroque Churches of the Philippines | City of Manila; Ilocos Sur; Ilocos Norte; Iloilo, Western Visayas | 677bis; Cultural: (ii), (iv) | 1993 | During the Spanish colonial period between the 16th and 18th centuries, Spain designed four Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines, with the help of Chinese and Filipino workers. They are the Churches of San Agustin (pictured), Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miagao. Using a modified Baroque architecture style, it was built using local materials to withstand the country's climate, and thus paved the way for the expansion of churches in the country.[7] | |
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park | Palawan, Mimaropa | 653bis; Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) | 1993 | Located at the heart of the Sulu Sea, this site includes the reef's northern and southern atoll, as well as the Jessie Beazley Reef, totalling at 96,828 hectares. In addition to a 100-meter coral reef, it houses 360 coral and around 700 fish species, notably whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and humphead wrasse. It also has one of the few seabird colonies on Earth.[8] A battery of barracudas in the area is pictured. | |
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras | Ifugao, Cordillera | 722; Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v) | 1995 | This site includes the Banaue, Mayoyao, Hungduan, and Nagacadan Rice Terraces. They were established 2,000 years prior to inscription in pre-colonial Philippines, by the local Ifugao people. Despite its shared, unique heights and steepness, each have their own facade: Nagacadan comprises two terraces divided by a river, Hungudan is shaped akin to a spider web, and Mayoyao's terrace blends with farmers' houses and granaries. Banaue consists of two terraces: Bangaan and Batad (pictured), both located nearby a village.[9] | |
Historic City of Vigan | Ilocos Sur, Ilocandia | 502rev; Cultural: (ii), (iv) | 1999 | Vigan is a city built during the Spanish colonial period in the 16th century. Situated at the delta of the Abra River, it used to be a trading post. The 17.25-hectare site displays its architecture, a fusion of Filipino, Chinese, European, and Mexican architecture. For instance, some parts do not fully conform to the grid plan as required by the Laws of the Indies. The two plazas, Salcedo and Burgos, contain a cathedral, an archbishop palace, a city hall, and the Provincial Capitol Building. In total, there are 233 historic buildings in the site.[10] Pictured is the Calle Crisologo street. | |
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park | Palawan, Mimaropa | 652rev; Natural: (vii), (x) | 1999 | Located southwest of the Philippine archipelago.[11] | |
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary | Davao Oriental | 1403rev; Natural: (x) | 2014 | The site is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park.[12] |
Tentative list
In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list.[13]
Site | Image | Location | Type (criteria) | Description | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apo Reef Natural Park | Sulu Sea | Natural: (vii)(ix)(x) | The site is the second biggest producer of juvenile marine fishes in the world, next only to the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. | [14] | |
Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension)
|
Various Locations | Cultural: (i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) | All five baroque churches have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines. | [15] | |
Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes | Batanes | Mixed | The Mahatao Church of Batanes is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. n 2003, the Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape was nominated, but was deferred due to the lack of conservation in the islands at the time; the Philippines aims to re-nominate it sometime in the 2020s, when the conservation program is set to finish.[16][17] | [18] | |
Butuan Archeological Sites | Agusan del Norte | Cultural: (iii)(iv)(v) | The site exemplified and concretized the capability of the pre-Hispanic Rajahnate of Butuan as a nation with great expertise in boat-making, seafaring, and gold manufacturing. | [19] | |
Chocolate Hills Natural Monument | Bohol | Natural: (vii)(viii) | The site is part of the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark. | [20] | |
Coron Island Natural Biotic Area | Palawan | Mixed: (iii)(ix)(x) | The site is within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. | [21] | |
El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area | Palawan | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. | [22] | |
Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves | Benguet | Cultural: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) | The site has been listed by the World Monuments Fund for immediate international conservation. It is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. | [23] | |
Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MMVNP) | Albay | Natural: (vii)(x) | The site is the central property of the Albay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.Initially, Albay's Mayon Volcano was set for declaration by 2020, but canceled after government failed to submit the site documents on time.[24] | [25] | |
Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park | Mindoro | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park. | [26] | |
Mount Malindang Range Natural Park | Misamis Occidental | Natural: (vii)(ix)(x) | The site is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park. | [27] | |
Mount Mantalingajan Protected Landscape | Palawan | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is part of the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. | [28] | |
Mount Pulag National Park | Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, and Benguet | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is the third highest point in the Philippines. | [29] | |
Neolithic Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities | Cagayan | Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v) | The site is the largest shell midden zone in the Philippine archipelago. | [30] | |
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Outlying Areas Inclusive of the Buffer Zone | Isabela | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is the largest national park in the Philippines. | [31] | |
Paleolithic Archaeological Sites in Cagayan Valley
|
Cagayan Valley | Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v) | The site includes the location where the bone fragments of Callao Man, the oldest hominid found in the Philippines, was found. The site is also where Homo luzonensis, a new human species, was found. Callao Man has since been reclassified as part of Homo luzonensis. | [32] | |
Petroglyphs and Petrographs of the Philippines
|
Various Locations | Cultural: (iii) | The sites in Singnapan, Alab, and Angono have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines. The site in Angono has been listed by World Monuments Fund. | [33] | |
The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun | Palawan | Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v) | The site is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines due to the Tabon Man discovery in the area. It was listed by the World Monuments Fund. | [34] | |
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary | Tawi-Tawi | Natural: (ix)(x) | The site is a major green sea turtle breeding and hatchery zone in the Asia-Pacific. | [35] |
See also
- List of protected areas of the Philippines
- Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Philippines
- Lists of Cultural Properties of the Philippines
- List of national parks of the Philippines
References
- ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Philippines". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Tentative Lists: Philippines". UNESCO. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
- ^ Henares, Ivan. "Ivan About Town". Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre The Criteria for Selection". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Baroque Churches of the Philippines – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Historic City of Vigan – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on November 19, 2005. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Tentative Lists". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on September 24, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Apo Reef Natural Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension) – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ https://beta.philstar.com/headlines/2011/02/09/655400/batanes-bids-unesco-heritage-site-nod [bare URL]
- ^ Henares, Ivan. "Batanes: Batanes heritage in danger!". Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Batanes Protected landscapes and seascapes – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Butuan Archeological Sites – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Chocolate Hills Natural Monument – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Coron Island Natural Biotic Area – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MMVNP) – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Mt. Pulag National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Neolithic Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and outlying areas inclusive of the buffer zone – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Paleolithic Archaeological Sites in Cagayan Valley – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Petroglyphs and Petrographs of the Philippines – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
External links
- Media related to World Heritage Sites in the Philippines at Wikimedia Commons