The Protected Landscape Approach - Centre for Mediterranean ...

The Protected Landscape Approach: Linking Nature, Culture and Community
of consultants produced a complete set of GIS maps of the entire province that inventory and
classify each individual natural, archaeological, cultural and architectural area in the province.
Provincial authorities have begun implementing very modest reconstruction programmes
using strong community involvement to rebuild damaged vernacular architecture in the tradi -
tional manner rather than using modern construction materials and techniques. A provincial
survey has been completed to identify recipients who qualify for a grant for repair and
rehabilitation of each qualified structure that the project shall finance. Assistance is limited to
the purchase of stones, lime, steel reinforcement (if necessary), cogon (thatch) and other
materials determined as necessary. In keeping with the local tradition of yaru (traditional
volunteerism), all beneficiaries shall supply the labour for reconstruction as their counterpart.
All the mechanisms to preserve the nature and culture of Batanes are in place, and both the
provincial government and the local population are committed to the preservation of their
natural and cultural heritage. What makes this case outstanding is that the Ivatan community
has determined the management plan, and has pledged to implement the projects outlined in it.
Because the community realizes that they are the custodians of their heritage, the system they
have devised is bound to be successful.
Conclusions
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and the Batanes Archipelago are two premier
locations in the Philippines where the local residents realize that their unique traditions are the
special quality that assures the continuation of the site as a living cultural landscape. For both
sites to continue living, they must not only struggle to find the right balance between tradition
and modernization, they also must make the national government authorities and the rest of the
Philippine public realize that theirs is a culture and a landscape that is unique and that requires a
preservation strategy different from one of simply conserving tangible heritage.
Most importantly, the nomination process for the two sites shows that full community
support is the crucial factor in assuring the maintenance of a continuing cultural landscape.
Both sites show the failure of national government to understand the complexities of preserving
cultural landscapes. In the Rice Terraces the failure has resulted in its inscription into the World
Heritage In Danger List. In Batanes, on the other hand, local government has committed its
support in the preservation of the tangible and intangible heritage of the province.
Community participation is the most important lesson to be learned from the two case
studies. The management of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras was initially a
national government initiative that failed because of the minimal participation of the local
stakeholders who were not made to feel that they were the custodians of their heritage. After
inscription of the site on the In Danger List, national government handed over management to
the stakeholders. With local government and residents joining efforts, there is now renewed
involvement in site management. Preservation of the Batanes Protected Landscape and Seas -
cape was always a programme of the local government, which involved local residents heavily
in the planning and implementation of preservation programmes. Taking full ownership of the
preservation of their cultural landscape, the local community has participated in all of the
planning sessions, training seminars, and in the natural and cultural preservation projects that
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