Cebu hosts talks on national heritage conservation framework

As the Philippines confronts mounting threats to its architectural heritage—from unchecked development to fading collective memory—a national effort to define how the country preserves its built legacy took center stage in Cebu.

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For three days, heritage experts, government leaders, and cultural advocates gathered at the Cebu City Museum to craft the country’s first unified guidelines for built heritage conservation—an ambitious framework meant to protect not just structures, but also the stories, identities, and histories they embody.

The Focus Group Discussion (FGD), held from September 16 to 18, 2025, was organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in partnership with the Cebu City Government through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CHAO). It served as a critical platform to align national policy with local realities, technical standards, and community values.