The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved, on third and final reading, “The Cultural Heritage Mapping Ordinance of Bacolod City” designed to document, protect, and promote the city’s tangible and intangible heritage.
Authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., the ordinance approved on Jan. 21 mandates the Bacolod City Tourism Office (CTO) to launch a systematic mapping of all historical artifacts, items, and sites within the city.
This initiative aims to safeguard local history, rituals, traditions, and physical heritage sites, Gamboa said on Monday, Jan. 26..
Gamboa said the ordinance transcends mere tourism promotion, it is a deep commitment to preserving local history and heritage.
“The ordinance aims to create a complete cultural profile of Bacolod City that can guide documentation, conservation, urban planning, education, and community development,” Gamboa said.
The “cultural map” will serve as an essential tool to create an integrated picture of Bacolod’s unique character, he said.
To ensure efficient coordination among stakeholders and minimize delays in heritage projects, the ordinance establishes the Bacolod City Conservation and Management Plan (BCCMP) Council.
The Council will be chaired by the City Mayor, with the CTO Department Head serving as co-chairperson.
The ordinance enjoins the City Government of Bacolod to allocate ₱500,000 from the general fund for the initial implementation of the cultural mapping project, and ₱300,000 in annual appropriations to fund the operations of the BCCMP Council.*