Government officials advocating for heritage conservation on Thursday, January 23, urged local government units (LGUs) to strike a balance between development and cultural preservation.

The call was made during the opening here of a four-day Comprehensive Training for the Preservation and Conservation of Heritage Structures, organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Architect Ma. Luisa Valerio of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines highlighted the importance of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) to integrate conservation principles with urban development.

She stressed that LGUs need clear policies to effectively craft preservation strategies.

Valerio emphasized that development cannot be halted but should incorporate urban renewal to bridge the gap with heritage conservation.

Professor Bernie Arellano III from the University of the Philippines-Diliman underscored the need for cultural mapping to identify structures requiring preservation. He explained that cultural mapping involves scoping, social preparation and research, with an intensive five-day training program.

NCCA Commissioner for Cultural Heritage, Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, clarified the distinction between restoration and renovation, stating that while restoration returns a structure to its original state, adaptive reuse preserves cultural value while modernizing spaces.

Participants from across the Visayas attended the training to develop CLUPs and Conservation Management Plans. (PNA)