Press Release: ICOMOS Philippines official membership to the Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines has officially become a member of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The NEDA Subcommittee on Sustainable Development Goals inaugurated forty-two (42) member organizations from various sectors dedicated to upholding the SDGs in the Philippines.

The Stakeholders Chamber is a platform for the Government to engage Non-Government partners to improve coordination, alignment and understanding, resource management, ownership and facilitate the emergence of well-aligned partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs. The Chamber is the avenue for policy dialogue, stakeholder mapping, increasing awareness and support for the SDGs. The Philippine National Committee of ICOMOS is the sole member of the Chamber whose global expertise works for the conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. ICOMOS is an advisory group of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and ICOMOS Philippines also holds a seat on the National Committee on Monuments and Sites, of the National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA).

The membership will be effective  for the Fiscal Year 2022, and subject to renewal. The Board of Trustees appointed Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG)’s EnP. Marybeth “Chen” R. Mencias as its Permanent Representative. Ar. Harvey Vasquez and Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales as the Alternate Representatives of ICOMOS Philippines.

Photo prepared by ICOMOS Philippines

EnP. Mencias represented ICOMOS Philippines during the Pledging Ceremony last April 7, 2022, Thursday, at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Head Office, NAC Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Photo from EnP. Marybeth “Chen” R. Mencias

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fellow representatives Ar. Harvey Vasquez and Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales attended the Pledging Ceremony remotely.

To know more about NEDA’s initiative, kindly visit this link.

Click this link for more information on ICOMOS Philippines and SDGWG

#ICOMOS #ICOMOSPH #SDGWG #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #LikasKayangPagUnlad #PhilippineHeritage #PAMANA2030 #PartnershipForTheGoals #2030Agenda #StakeholdersChamberForSDGs #SustainableDevelopment #AmBisyonNatin2040

ICOMOS Philippines established the National Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG)

In January 2021, ICOMOS Philippines appointed National Representatives to ICOMOS International SDGWG eventually establishing the National Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG PH). At present, it is now composed of ten (10) ICOMOS members. 

The Sustainable Development Goals Working Group of ICOMOS Philippines (SDGWG PH) coordinates ICOMOS response to the 2030 Agenda, through advocacy, policy, and localizing of the SDGs. SDGWG PH looks into the important role of culture and heritage as a driver and enabler of the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. It believes that Culture and Heritage supports the achievement of all the 17 SDGs. The linkages of Culture and Heritage starts at Target 11.4 to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage to make our cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, but it also enables the achievement of various SDG targets. This belief is anchored from the ICOMOS International Policy Guidance for the Sustainable Development Goals

SDGWG PH through the PAMANA 2030 (Heritage 2030) Campaign aims to develop a policy guidance document to localize the “ICOMOS International Policy Guidance document for Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals” from 2021 to 2023. 

TEAM, 2021-23: 

Ar. Kenneth Tua  is the Policy Guidance Manager / Task Team Coordinator. With him as Task Team members are LAr. Gabriel Caballero, EnP. Chen Reyes-Mencias, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, IDr. Mylene Lising, Ar. Harvey Vasquez, Ar. Claudia Isabelle Montero, and LAr. Cris Justine Ugalino, and as local members are: Ms. April Dopeño and Mr. Nicanor Germono.

Know more about the people behind the ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG:

PAMANANG PASIG: A Heritage Impact Assessment of the PAREX

In September 2021, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) signed the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX), a 19.37-kilometer six-lane, all elevated expressway over the Pasig River as a solution to Manila’s traffic problems.

The Pasig river, and the many  historic buildings along its banks are our heritage. The PAREX sacrifices our river heritage for benefits that are still unproven, and with impacts that are still unsubstantiated.

Pamanang Pasig  is a heritage impact assessment forum on the Pasig River and heritage buildings along its banks.   Experts  discuss the historical, aesthetic and social significance of the river  and the impact the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) will have on these values. Experts will also discuss the Impact on traffic,  disaster risk management,  health, ecology, and society.  Global examples of freeways constructed over or along riverbanks,  now being torn down for more sustainable and people-centered alternatives, will be presented.  

The goal of this forum series is to enable a broader perspective on the PAREX. By  providing multidisciplinary and data-driven discussions by experts, we hope to invite more conversations and provide more facts for people to decide if this benefits our city.

Here is a statement that ICOMOS Philippines co-authored:

Register at: https://tinyurl.com/fb8zf4ym

Hosted by: ICOMOS Philippines

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/icomosph

[REGISTRATION] EnHerit 2021: August 7 & 14

The approach, philosophy, and set of design principles for the structural engineering of existing and historic buildings is different from those in conventional structural engineering. The work requires an understanding of original construction systems, the cause and mechanism of failure or safety, and if over the course of decades and centuries the building has settled into a new load path. For this work, research, conditions assessment, and non-destructive testing and modeling are essential. Methods, materials, and designs will be discussed with the perspective of weathering mechanically or chemically well over time, and ensuring longevity of the historic or existing structure. .

Register at: https://forms.gle/QDYATf26nuMnQeW16

Organized by: The Association of Structural Engineers in the Philippines, ICOMOS Philippines, Bakas Pilipinas, Inc., and the De La Salle University GCOE Department of Civil Engineering

The Board Welcomes Victor ‘Bobing’ Venida as the New Vice President of ICOMOS Philippines

Dr. Victor S. Venida is a retired Professor of Economics and lecturer of the Development Studies Program and the European Studies Programme of Ateneo de Manila University. He finished his M.Sc. in Economics at London School of Economics and his Ph.D. in Economics at New York University. His research interests are in development economics, urban and regional analysis, cultural/architectural heritage, Marxian economics and history of economics.

Quoted from ICOMOS Philippines By-Laws: In the case of vacancy due to resignation, death or any other cause of the trustees, except removal or expiration of the term, the Board is empowered and authorized to designate from among the members of the Association (ICOMOS Philippines) in good Standing, a trustee or trustees who shall serve only for the unexpired term of the trustee being replaced.

Tawir Talks: Webinar on Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs)

Tawir Talks with Youth for Pangasinan Heritage (Y4PH)

Title of Activity: Tawir Talks: Webinar on Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs)

Date: June 12, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Venue: Online (via Zoom)

Description:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

One of the most important aspects that must be focused on in order to achieve sustainable development is heritage. In the recent years, it has been recognized that heritage and their conservation could positively impact local communities –an effective driver for economic and social development, and an important site for inclusivity and empowerment.

The Youth for Pangasinan Heritage (Y4PH), a youth-led volunteer organization which aims to raise awareness on and elicit appreciation of culture, arts, history, and heritage among Pangasinan youth, will conduct an activity that could open a platform for a discussion on cultural heritage and development. Y4PH recognizes the crucial role of the youth, being the community’s cultural bearers and transmitters, in the eventual achievement of the SDGs. In this regard, Y4PH will conduct a webinar on “Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Particularly, the webinar aims to accomplish the following objectives:

1) To situate and present the relationship between heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

2) To identify and present prospects for initiatives anchored on heritage conservation and SDGs in the Philippines; and

3) To inspire the youth to actively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs

Resource Persons:

LArch’t. Gabriel Caballero, Focal Point for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ICOMOS International, gave a talk on “Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals: Policy Guidance for Heritage and Development Actos”. His talk consists of: 1) Introduction of ICOMOS International and its contribution to global causes, 2) Basic principles of Heritage and Sustainable Development, 3) Inclusion of Cultural Heritage in the Agenda 2030: Target 11.4, and 4) Mobilization for integrating Heritage in the UN Decade of Action through the International Policy Guidance and the SDGsWG.

Arch’t. Kenneth Tua, Philippine Policy Guidance Manager / Coordinator, gave a talk on “Cultural Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals: Prospects for the Philippines”. His talk consists of: 1) Introduction of National Sustainable Development Goals Working Group Philippines, 2) Efforts of ICOMOS Philippines in achieving Sustainable Development from 2013 – 2021, and 3) Prospects for initiatives anchored in Heritage Conservation and the SDGs in the Philippines through localizing the Policy Guidance.

2nd ICOMOS Philippines Student Symposium

We believe there is good student research out there that should be shared. ICOMOS has culled through abstracts and presents the most relevant and innovative among them, followed by a discussion among its expert members in those fields.


[Schedule for the 2nd ICOMOS Philippines Student Symposium]

Check out our lineup for #IPSS2021!

Day 1, 28 May 2021 (Friday)

OPENING SESSION: Heritage Makers, Change Makers
Keynote Address by Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr., NCCA National Music Committee Chair

SESSION 1: The doing of built heritage conservation: Methods and approach
Paper presentations by Vangie Cheryl Ulila, Tiffany Bello & Shayna Mari Tria

Day 2, 29 May 2021 (Saturday)

SESSION 2: Heritage Values: Intangible meanings, tangible effects
Paper presentations by Jose Medriano III, Mary Marguerette Cruz, Louie Ann Valeriano & Jezreel R. Nugas

SESSION 3: Adaptive Reuse: Old buildings, new uses
Paper presentations by Ira Ben Tobis, Jazel Lynn Ong & Gellaine Marie Burgos

This is a free event. Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/IPSS2021 to register now!

Diverse Pasts, Complex Futures – ICOMOS Day 2021 (April 18, 10:30am GMT+8)

In celebration of ICOMOS Day 2021, themed ??????? ?????, ??????? ???????, the Philippine National Committee hosts a talk that explores the creation, selection, and preservation of heritage through the kalesa study and the jeepney. 

Urban historian ??. ??????? ????? discusses the evolution of the carruaje in pre-War Manila. In the last century, it was perceived as a relic from an “unmodern” past that must give way to newer, safer transportation forms. Today it survives primarily for tourists who seek a nostalgic experience, or perhaps an incomplete interpretation/presentation of the Walled City and other historic districts. 

What lessons on heritage declaration and preservation might one draw by studying the case of the kalesa and the jeepney, currently absent from the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property? What insights might be applied to contemporary vernacular architecture, especially those of lower-income Filipinos? What role do heritage managers and cultural workers play in identifying what should be preserved and ensuring that cultural properties, especially those heavily used and meaningful to marginalized communities, endure into the future? 

These questions and more will be explored by Dr. Pante and guest discussants ???? ??? ?????????? and ?????? ?????? moderated by ???? ???????. 

  • The webinar will be held via Zoom on 18 April, Sunday at 10:30 AM Hong Kong SAR, MNL time 

ICOMOS Philippines Elected New Board of Trustees and Officers

2020 – ICOMOS Philippines recently concluded a Special Membership Meeting on November 30, 2020, 9:30AM (GMT+8) in a Zoom meeting. The Special Membership Meeting is in lieu of the ICOMOS Philippines Annual Meeting that was originally scheduled for July 2, 2020 as indicated in Article II Section 2 of the by-laws, which was not held due to community quarantines and restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The main agendas of the Special Membership Meeting were the presentation of the Term Report of Trustees and the Election of New Board of Trustees and Officers. The Meeting ended successfully concluded with new Board of Trustees and Officers.

For the new Term, Tina Paterno remains to be the ICOMOS Philippines President. With her are Ivan Henares as Vice President, Kara Garilao as Corporate Secretary, Richard Daenos as Executive Secretary, Erik Akpedonu as Treasurer, Kate Lim for the EPWG Representative position, and Claudia Montero as Communications Officer.

Know more about the people behind the International Council on Monuments and Sites Philippines: ICOMOS Philippines Board of Trustees and Officers