Community Participation in Sustainable Heritage Management: Practices at an ASEAN Heritage Park in the Philippines

Abstract

Sustainable heritage management recognizes the role of partnerships in the identification, protection and stewardship of cultural and natural heritage that concerns public interest. The ASEAN’s declaration of heritage parks highlights ASEAN’s recognition of the importance of managing conservation areas in 1) maintaining ecological processes and life support systems, 2) preserving genetic diversity; 3) ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems; and 4) maintaining wilderness that are of scenic, cultural, educational, research, recreational and tourism values. Sustainable heritage management of heritage parks cannot be accomplished without the community’s participation. The Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) as an ASEAN Heritage Park is an important site where knowledge on management practices that promote community participation can be advanced. The paper intends to answer: What constitutes the community of MMFR as an ASEAN Heritage Park?; and what are the sustainable management practices of MMFR that promote community participation? Answers to these questions are provided by analyzing the narratives of two academic staff who have experience managing the MMFR. The concept of community is expanded and the conflict and the compatibility of heritage management and sustainable development is surfaced.