FOR THE conservation and protection of cultural heritage in La Trindad, Benguet, lawmakers of the town on Tuesday, September 3, approved on third and final reading the La Trinidad Heritage Ordinance.
“The colorful and endowed cultural heritage of the Ibaloi as the first settlers of this municipality requires an active program for its conservation, preservation, protection and promotion to serve as reminder of our endearing past for future generations interest,” said proponent Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Pendon Thompson.
Thompson added written and oral history though incomplete, had shown La Trinidad had been in the limelight of various historical events in shaping the Cordillera region as political unit. It was initially established as the cabesera of the Cordillera during the Spanish regime long before other communities where founded in the region.
Among the programs, projects and activities for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage in the town is the inventory and documentation of cultural property and cultural heritage.
Through the ordinance, the local government unit will lead in the inventory and documentation of the tangible and intangible cultural property and heritage, cultural treasures, important cultural property, heritage sites, historical sites, historical shrine and historical monuments, historical landmarks.
The policy added programs include development of cultural heritage plan will be incorporated as part of the comprehensive development plan of the town, annual heritage summit, support for the establishment of museums and heritage parks in the town, Indigenous Peoples conservation and preservation program and other programs approved by the La Trinidad Cultural Heritage Conservation Board composed of the mayor as chair, vice mayor as co-chair and IPMR as vice chair.
Funds for the implementation of the ordinance will be incorporated in the annual appropriation of La Trinidad under the support to tourism sector of the mayor’s office.
The ordinance will be forwarded to the Provincial Board of Benguet for their appropriate action.