Delisting of Bohol churches from nominees causes stir

CEBU, Philippines - Bohol officials reacted against the act of the UNESCO in deleting from the list of nominees for the World Heritage Sites the centuries-old churches in Loboc and Baclayon towns.

Mayor Nila Montero of Panglao town said in radio interview that "this is a wake-up call," while Governor Edgar Chatto said he still has to check this out because it surprised him.

Reports published in national dailies last week said UNESCO has delisted the centuries-old churches of Loboc and Baclayon, which are now in ruins due to the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that struck the province last year.

Also removed from the list of nominees in UNESCO's world heritage sites is Panglao Island due to "pollution and man-made interventions," the reports said.

Other sites delisted from the natural category are the Taal Volcano in Batangas province and Mount Apo in Davao del Sur for the same reasons.

Montero said there are still a lot to do for her town of Panglao, apparently taking cue on what can be done against "man-made interventions" that caused the removal of the Island from the UNESCO list. Raising awareness and educating the people on environmental preservation and protection are her priority now, she added.

Panglao island, including Dauis town, was cited for a number of environmental violations particularly the coastal 20-meter salvage zone by beach resorts mostly owned and operated by private entities.

Dauis town Mayor Alvin Uy, in his text message to The Freeman, said local officials will discuss next week this development because they have not yet received the formal notice of delisting his town by UNESCO.

The report said UNESCO already declared as World Heritage Sites the following, with the year of declaration: Vigan in 1992; Baroque churches (1993), Tubbataha Reef National Park in Palawan (1993), Banawe Rice Terraces in Cordillera (1995), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (2009) and Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (2014). 

UNESCO has updated its list as a first step to the declaration of World Heritage Sites during a recent gathering of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, added the report.

Those retained in the list were the churches of Boljoon in Cebu, Marigondon in Cavite, Lazi in Siquijor, Tumauini in Isabela and San Sebastian in Manila.

UNESCO also retained in the list, under the natural category, the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol,

The Huffington Post, in its latest issue, cited Chocolate Hills as the country's natural wonder and one of the top sites to visit the country, including Mount Mayon in Bicol, Banawe Rice Terraces and El Nido in Palawan.

Balicasag Island, off  Panglao Island, was also cited as reasons for the Philippines being the best tropical destination, Huffington said, adding the diving spots in "Malapascua Island, with four different shipwrecks to explore, the uncrowded and incredible reefs and diving sites in Apo Island." (FREEMAN)