MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-- Securing the sustainability of the identity of Maranaos, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH)-Lanao del Sur has moved to intensify its campaign on the preservation of the Meranaw culture.

In line with this, the commission conducted a conference tackling approaches to understanding this crusade. This was attended by representatives of the academic sector, tourism officers from various towns in the province, and students of the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Main Campus.

BCPCH-Lanao del Sur Commissioner Robert Alonto shared that this was the first part of the two-series dialogue they would hold this month under the rubric named Bangsamoro History and Culture Sensitive Governance.

He stated that this program would be implemented in five component provinces of the Bangsamoro region to open a platform for small-group conversations on matters related to historical issues and cultural preservation.

Alonto explained that they pushed for this pursuant to the mandate bestowed by Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is the cultural preservation and writing of history from the perspective of the Bangsamoro locals.

He expounded that here, they realized that these tasks were not simple, taking into account that this has embraced a wide range of undertakings that revolve around history, both oral and written, and remote and contemporary.

“Cultural preservation does not only involve safeguarding living traditions, but in the profoundest sense and on an ideological higher plane, this translates into the preservation and appreciation of history and, consequently, the cumulative values formed in the course of the long development of our history that have been handed down to us as heritage,” said Alonto.

This was positively gaining approval from the fellow cultural champions of the BCPCH executive.

MTIT-BARMM Project Development Officer for Tourism, Tales of Marawi Walid Pangcoga, conveyed that they have been into a similar initiative, which is akin to navigating a time machine as they would bridge the past and the present while bracing for the future.

MSU-College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) History Professor Dr. Tirmizy Abdullah was likewise on the affirmation side, underscoring that history plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro region.

“It (history) serves as the bedrock and motivation for safeguarding our rich traditions. The significance of our cultural heritage is rooted in its history, and preserving it is a way of acknowledging and cherishing its historical importance. In essence, history and cultural heritage preservation go hand in hand,” he said.

Following the successful first conference centered on cultural preservation, more suggestions have been laid on the table to guarantee the fulfillment of their goal.

Aretes Style Founder Jal Mustari claimed that while there have been a lot of local creatives in the Bangsamoro region who incorporate Meranaw cultural heritage in their designs or innovations, they should also be empowered with the knowledge on the appropriate utilization of these resources to ensure that they do not scorn the cultural values.

Meanwhile, Pangcoga advocated a strategic action to inscribe their reverence for their invaluable bequest.

“I extend an encouragement to LGUs and fellow participants to have cultural mapping in your municipality. Not just for documentation and recording, it serves as a tool for acknowledging and appreciating the profound legacies left by our ancestors,” he said.

For now, all concerned stakeholders keep united to carry on their kicked-off efforts to amplify the preservation of Meranaw culture. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)