List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

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Location of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines. Blue dots indicate the Baroque Churches.

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 for scientifical research and/or conservation, as well as those regarded for its natural aesthetic. [2]

Contents

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] One site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, was once listed as a World Heritage in Danger due to the lack of conservation and monitoring efforts.

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]

World Heritage Sites
SiteImageLocation (region)UNESCO dataYear listedDescription
Baroque Churches of the Philippines San Agustin Church, Manila, 2018 (04).jpg City of Manila; Ilocos Sur; Ilocos Norte; Iloilo, Western Visayas 677bis; Cultural: (ii), (iv)1993During 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 Battery of Barracuda taken in Tubbataha.png Palawan, Mimaropa 653bis; Natural: (vii), (ix), (x)1993Located 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 the humphead wrasse. It also has one of the few seabird colonies on Earth. [8] A battery of barracudas is pictured.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras FARMER AT THE BATAD.jpg Ifugao, Cordillera 722; Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v)1995This 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. Banaue in particular consists of two terraces: Bangaan and Batad (pictured), both located nearby a village. From 2001 to 2012, with the lack of a conservation and monitoring effort, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage in Danger. [9] [10]
Historic City of Vigan Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Philippines - One of The New 7 Wonder Cities of The World.jpg Ilocos Sur, Ilocandia 502rev; Cultural: (ii), (iv)1999Vigan 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. [11] Pictured is the Calle Crisologo street.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park 5.jpg Palawan, Mimaropa 652rev; Natural: (vii), (x)1999Located southwest of the Philippine archipelago. this 22,202-hectare site includes several karstic caves formed by limestones with various rock formations, and an 8.2-kilometer subterranean river, which flows to the sea. Because of this, its brackish lower part is prone to tides. With a variety of mountain and marine species, its waters and forests are a vital area for biodiversity conservation. [12]
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Bonsai Forest in Mt Hamaguitan.jpg Davao Oriental, Davao 1403rev; Natural: (x)2014Located southeast of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, Hamiguitan rises up to 1,637 meters above sea level. There are 1,380 species; of all those deemed threatened and endemic, eight are exclusive to Hamiguitan. Threatened fauna include the Mindanao bleeding-heart and Philippine warty pig; critically endangered fauna include the Philippine eagle and cockatoo; critically endangered flora include the Shorea polysperma and Shorea astylosa. [13]

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. [14]

World Heritage Sites
SiteImageLocation (region)UNESCO dataYear listedDescription
Apo Reef Natural Park Reef4318 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg Sulu Sea Natural: (vii)(ix)(x)2006The site is the second biggest producer of juvenile marine fishes in the world, next only to the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. [15]
Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension) Church of Tumauini.jpg Various LocationsCultural: (i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)2006All five baroque churches have been declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines. [16]
Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes Batanes Hills.png Batanes Mixed1993The 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. [17] [18]
Butuan Archeological Sites Butuan Ivory Seal.jpg Agusan del Norte Cultural: (iii)(iv)(v)2006The 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 Chocolate Hills overview.JPG Bohol Natural: (vii)(viii)2006The site is part of the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark. [20]
Coron Island Natural Biotic Area Coron - Kayangan Lake.jpg Palawan Mixed: (iii)(ix)(x)2006The site is within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. [21]
El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area El Nido, 2007-02-08.jpg Palawan Natural: (ix)(x)2006The site is within the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. [22]
Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves Benguet Cultural: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)2006The 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 Mt.Mayon tam3rd.jpg Albay Natural: (vii)(x)2015The site is the central property of the Albay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.Initially, it 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 Mount Iglit (Mounts Iglit - Baco National Park, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines) - panoramio (1).jpg Mindoro Natural: (ix)(x)2015The site is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park. [26]
Mount Malindang Range Natural Park Mount malindang landsat.jpg Misamis Occidental Natural: (vii)(ix)(x)2006The site is a declared ASEAN Heritage Park. [27]
Mount Mantalingajan Protected Landscape Mount mantalingahan palawan.jpg Palawan Natural: (ix)(x)2015The site is part of the Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. [28]
Mount Pulag National Park Ph mtpulag.jpg Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, and Benguet Natural: (ix)(x)2006The site is the third highest point in the Philippines. [29]
Neolithic Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities Jones Isabela.JPG Cagayan Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v)2006The 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 Ultrabasic forests above 1200 m at Barangay Diddadungan - ZooKeys-266-001-g006.jpg Isabela Natural: (ix)(x)2006The site is the largest national park in the Philippines. [31]
Paleolithic Archaeological Sites in Cagayan Valley Callao Cave.jpg Cagayan Valley Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v)2006The 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 To Learn The Past.jpg Various LocationsCultural: (iii)2006The 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 TabonCaves.JPG Palawan Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v)2006The 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 Total internal reflection of Chelonia mydas .jpg Tawi-Tawi Natural: (ix)(x)2015The site is a major green sea turtle breeding and hatchery zone in the Asia-Pacific. [35]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ "Philippines". UNESCO World Heritage Centre . Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Tentative Lists: Philippines". UNESCO. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Henares, Ivan. "Ivan About Town". Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre The Criteria for Selection". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "World Heritage Committee Inscribes Two Sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Tentative Lists". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on September 24, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Apo Reef Natural Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ Henares, Ivan. "Batanes: Batanes heritage in danger!". Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Batanes Protected landscapes and seascapes – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Butuan Archeological Sites – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Chocolate Hills Natural Monument – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Coron Island Natural Biotic Area – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mantalingahan range nominated for World Heritage Site status - PressReader". Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2023– via PressReader.
  25. ↑ "Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MMVNP) – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Mt. Pulag National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ "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.
  31. ↑ "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.
  32. ↑ "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.
  33. ↑ "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.
  34. ↑ "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.
  35. ↑ "Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
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