What are the cultural and historical landmarks in the Philippines?

Answer 1

With Republic Act No. 10066 - National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 in place, all structures 50 years or older, structures with historical markers, and all structures designed by National Artists (regardless of age) are now presumed to be declared and cannot be demolished or altered without the permission of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). This is an attempt to compile all lists of formally declared cultural and historical structures and sites in the Philippines and make it available to the public via the internet since the National Museum (NM)and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), both under the NCCA, maintain their own lists.

The list below is most definitely incomplete. If there are any additions or corrections to the list, please make a comment to this entry. If the heritage site you are adding hasn't been declared formally, please comment in the PRECUP Tentative List. There is also a separate list for movable and intangible heritage.

Also check out the comprehensive online database of Philippine architectural heritage I'm building for the HCS. This list does not include natural heritage in the UNESCO World Heritage Listand National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS). For natural heritage, clickhere.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Cultural)

Baroque Churches of the Philippines

▪ Ilocos Norte: Church of San Agustin (Paoay)

▪ Ilocos Sur: La Asuncion de la Ñuestra Señora Church (Sta. Maria)

▪ Iloilo: Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva (Miag-ao)

▪ Manila: San Agustin Church and Monastery (Intramuros)

Historic Town of Vigan

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

▪ Bangaan Rice Terraces (Banaue)

▪ Batad Rice Terraces (Banaue)

▪ Hungduan Rice Terraces

▪ Mayoyao Rice Terraces

▪ Nagacadan Rice Terraces

Heritage Zones

▪ Old Town of Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte)

National Cultural Treasures

Ilocos Region

▪ Burial Caves in Sitio Alabok, Cambali (Buguilin, La Union)

▪ Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

▪ Saints Peter and Paul Church (Calasiao, Pangasinan)

▪ San Agustin Church (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

▪ San Andres Apostol Church (Bacarra, Ilocos Norte)

▪ San Guillermo de Aquitania Church (Magsingal, Ilocos Sur)

▪ Mestizo Section (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

▪ Santa Catalina De Alejandria Church (Luna, La Union)

Cagayan Valley

▪ San Carlos Borromeo Church (Mahatao, Batanes)

▪ San Matias Church (Tumauini, Isabela)

▪ San Raymundo de Peñafort Church (Rizal, Cagayan)

▪ San Vicente Ferrer Church (Dupax, Nueva Viscaya)

Cordillera Administrative Region

▪ Ifugao Rice Terraces (Banaue, Ifugao)

▪ Mummy Caves of Alab (Bontoc, Mountain Province)

▪ Mummy Caves of Kabayan (Kabayan, Benguet)

▪ Mummy Caves of Sagada (Sagada, Mountain Province)

▪ Petroglyphs of Alab (Bontoc, Mountain Province)

▪ Stone Agricultural Calendares of Dap-ay Guiday in Besao (Bontoc, Mountain Province)

▪ Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church (Tayum, Abra)

Central Luzon

▪ San Andres Church (Masinloc, Zambales)

▪ Santa Monica Church (Minalin, Pampanga)

▪ Santiago Apostol Church (Betis, Guagua, Pampanga)

National Capital Region

▪ Bamboo Organ (Las Pinas City)

▪ Parish Church of San Agustin Church and Liturgical Objects Therein(Intramuros, Manila)

▪ Sta. Ana Site Museum (Sta. Ana, Manila)

▪ Camarin de la Virgen, Parish Church of Nuestra Sra. De los Desamparados (Sta. Ana, Manila)

▪ Manila Metropolitan Theater (Manila)

▪ Bonifacio Monument (Caloocan City)

▪ Main Building, Central Seminary, Arch of the Centuries and Open Spaces of the University of Sto. Tomas (Manila)

▪ San Sebastian Basilica (Manila)

Southern Tagalog: Calabarzon

▪ Basilica of St. Michael (Tayabas, Quezon)

▪ Immaculate Conception Church (Balayan, Batangas)

▪ Our Lady of Assumption Church (Maragondon, Cavite)

▪ Petroglyphs of the Rock-shelter (Angono, Rizal)

▪ San Gregorio Magno Church (Majayjay, Laguna)

▪ San Ildefonso Church (Tanay, Rizal)

▪ Tayabas Historic Bridges: Alitao, Isabel II, Francisco de Asis, Gibanga, Malagonlong, Lakawan, Mate, Ese, Despedida, Tuloy (Tayabas, Quezon)

Southern Tagalog: Mimaro

▪ Cathedral of San Jose (Romblon, Romblon)

▪ Petroglyphs in the Caves of the Tao't Bato Area (Quezon, Palawan)

▪ Tabon Cave Complex (Quezon, Palawan

Bicol Region

▪ San Juan Bautista Church (Tabaco, Albay)

▪ Our Lady of the Gate Church (Daraga, Albay) - Eastern and Western Facades, Belfry and Baptistry

Western Visayas

▪ San Joaquin Church (San Joaquin, Iloilo)

▪ Santa Monica Church (Pan-ay, Capiz)

Central Visayas

▪ Bohol Watchtowers (Maribojoc, Dauis, Panglao, Pamilacan, Loay and Balilihan, Bohol)

▪ Immaculada Concepcion Parish Church (Baclayon, Bohol)

▪ Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish Church Complex (Loon, Bohol)

▪ Panglao Church (Panglao, Bohol)

▪ Patrocinio de Sta. Maria Church (Boljoon, Cebu)

▪ San Agustin Church (Bacong, Negros Oriental)

▪ San Isidro Labrador Church (Lazi, Siquijor)

▪ San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church and Ermita Ruins (Dimiao, Bohol)

▪ San Pedro Apostol Church (Loboc, Bohol)

▪ Santa Cruz Church (Maribojoc, Bohol)

▪ Shrine Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Complex and its Liturgical Objects Therein (Dauis, Bohol)

Eastern Visayas

▪ Immaculate Conception Church (Guiuan, Samar)

Zamboanga Region

▪ Relief Map of Mindanao (Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte)

▪ Fort Pilar (Zamboanga City)

Northern Mindanao

▪ Immaculate Conception Church (Jasaan, Misamis Oriental)

▪ San Juan Bautista Church (Jimenez, Misamis Occidental)

Caraga Region

▪ Balangays in the Vicinity of Butuan (Butuan City, Agusan del Norte)

Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao

▪ Karim Ul-Makhdum Mosque (Simunul, Tawi-tawi)

▪ Kawayan Torogan House (Lanao del Sur)

Important Cultural Properties

▪ Bohol Stone Bridges (Dimiao, Bohol)

▪ Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice (UP Diliman, Quezon City)

▪ Faro de Cape Engano (Sta. Ana, Cagayan)

▪ Pinol Cave Formation, and the Surrounding Area (Maitum, Saranggani)

▪ Parish Church Complex of Santa Monica (Sarrat, Ilocos Norte)

▪ Parish Church of San Salvador del Mundo (Caraga, Davao Oriental)

Archeological Reservations

▪ Specific Areas in Cagayan Valley and Kalinga-Apayao

▪ Barangays Ransang and Candawaga (Quezon, Palawan)

▪ The Balangay Complex in Butuan City

▪ Mehan Gardens and Arroceros Park (Manila)

National Shrines

(Pambansang Dambana)

Aklan

▪ Kalantiaw Shrine (Batan)

Antique

▪ General Leandro Fullon National Shrine (Hamtic)

Bataaan

▪ Mt. Samat National Shrine (Mt. Samat)

Batangas

▪ Apolinario Mabini Shrine (Tanauan)

Bulacan

▪ Casa Real Shrine (Malolos)

▪ Birth Site of Marcelo H. del Pilar (Bulacan)

Cavite

▪ Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit)

▪ Corregidor (Corregidor Island)

▪ Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit)

Cebu

▪ Liberty Shrine/Site of the Battle of Mactan (Lapu-lapu City, Mactan)

Ilocos Norte

▪ Artemio Ricarte Shrine (Batac)

▪ Gregorio Aglipay National Shrine (Batac)

▪ Juan Luna Shrine (Badoc)

Ilocos Sur

▪ Tirad Pass National Shrine (Del Pilar)

Iloilo

▪ Balantang Memorial Cemetery Shrine (Jaro, Iloilo City)

Laguna

▪ Paciano Rizal Shrine (Los Banos)

▪ Rizal Shrine (Calamba)

Leyte

▪ Leyte Landing Site (Palo)

Metro Manila

▪ Andres Bonifacio National Shrine (Mehan Gardens, Manila)

▪ Andres Bonifacio Shrine (P. Burgos cor Concepcion, Manila)

▪ Fort Santiago Freedom Shrine / Dambana ng Kalayaan (Intramuros)

▪ Intramuros and its Walls (Manila)

▪ Libingan ng mga Bayani National Shrine (Taguig City)

▪ Mabini Shrine (Pandacan, Manila)

▪ Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine (San Juan)

▪ Quezon Memorial Shrine (Quezon City)

▪ Rizal Shrine (Fort Santiago, Manila)

Tarlac

▪ Capas Prisoners-of-War Memorial Shrine (Capas)

Southern Leyte

▪ Limasawa Shrine (Limasawa)

Tawi-tawi

▪ Shiek Karimol Makhdum Shrine (Tandu Banak, Sibutu)

Zamboanga del Norte

▪ Rizal Shrine (Dapitan City)

National Historical Landmarks

(Pambansang Palatandaang Makasaysayan)

Ilocos Region

▪ Bacarra Church (Bacarra, Ilocos Norte)

▪ Cape Bojeador Lighthouse National Historical Landmark (Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

▪ Old Casa Real and Provincial Capitol (Lingayen, Pangasinan)

▪ Paoay Church (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

▪ Santa Maria Church (Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur)

Cagayan Valley

▪ Church, Convent and Site of the Beaterio of Sabtang (Sabtang, Batanes)

▪ Church of Ivana (Ivana, Batanes)

▪ Tumauini Church (Tumauini, Isabela)

Cordillera Administrative Region

▪ Mansion House (Baguio City)

▪ Surrender Site of General Tomuyuki Yamashita (Kiangan, Ifugao)

Central Luzon

▪ Abucay Church Historical Landmark (Abucay, Bataan)

▪ Aquino Ancestral House (Concepcion, Tarlac)

▪ Barasoain Church Historical Landmark (Malolos, Bulacan)

▪ Birthplace of Gregorio del Pilar (Bulacan, Bulacan)

▪ Birthplace of Pres. Diosdado P. Macapagal (Lubao, Pampanga)

▪ Church of Baler Historical Landmark (Baler, Aurora)

▪ Lubao Church Historical Landmark (Lubao, Pampanga)

▪ Malolos Heritage Town (Malolos, Bulacan)

▪ Marcelo H. del Pilar Historic Landmark (Bulacan, Bulacan)

▪ Pres. Ramon Magsaysay Historical Landmark (Castillejos, Zambales)

National Capital Region

▪ Army and Navy Club Historical Landmark (South Boulevard, Ermita, Manila)

▪ Birthplace of Antonio Luna (San Nicolas, Manila)

▪ Birthplace of Felix Manalo Historical Landmark (Tipas, Taguig, City)

▪ Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice (UP Diliman, Quezon City)

▪ Cry of Pugadlawin Historical Landmark (Bahay Toro, Quezon City)

▪ Elks Club Building Historical Landmark (Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila)

▪ Luneta Hotel Historical Landmark (Ermita, Manila)

▪ Malacañang Palace Historical Landmark (San Miguel, Manila)

▪ Manila Hotel (Ermita, Manila)

▪ Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion Historical Landmark (North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila)

▪ Mehan Gardens Historical Landmark (Manila)

▪ Metropolitan Theater Historical Landmark (Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila)

▪ P. Burgos Elementary School Historical Landmark (P. Burgos Street, Pasay City)

▪ San Agustin Church (Intramuros, Manila)

▪ San Sebastian Church Historical Landmark (Quiapo, Manila)

▪ Zamora Historical Landmark (Pandacan, Manila)

Southern Tagalog: Calabarzon

▪ Bonifacio Trial House (Maragondon, Cavite)

▪ Calamba Church Historical Landmark (Calamba, Laguna)

▪ Casa de la Comunidad de Tayabas (Tayabas, Quezon)

▪ Casa Hacienda and its Environs, the Site of the Tejeros Convention(Rosario and Gen. Trias, Cavite)

▪ Church of Paete (Paete, Laguna)

▪ Cuartel de Sto. Domingo (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)

▪ Leon Apacible Historical Landmark (Taal, Batangas)

▪ Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark (Taal, Batangas)

▪ Miguel Malvar Historical Landmark (Sto. Tomas, Batangas)

▪ Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark (Nagcarlan, Laguna)

▪ Pila Historical Landmark/Historic Town Center of Pila (Pila, Laguna)

▪ Punta de Malabrigo Lighthouse (Lobo, Batangas)

▪ Site of the Battle of Alapan Historical Landmark (Imus, Cavite)

▪ Site of the Battle of Imus (Imus, Cavite)

▪ Sta. Cruz Parish Convent (Tanza, Cavite)

▪ Taal Historical Landmark/Historic Town Center of Taal (Taal, Batangas)

▪ Taal Church Historical Landmark (Taal, Batangas)

▪ Tayabas Provincial Capitol Building (Tayabas, Quezon)

▪ Vicente Manansala Historical Landmark (Binangonan, Rizal)

Southern Tagalog: Mimaropa

▪ Battle Site Memorial of Pulang Lupa Historical Landmark (Torrijos, Marinduque)

▪ Cape Melville Lighthouse Historical Landmark (Cape Melville, Balabac, Palawan)

▪ Cathedral of Boac Historical Landmark (Boac, Marinduque)

▪ Iwahig Penal Prison and Farm Historical Landmark (Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

Bicol Region

▪ Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Historical Landmark (Naga City, Camarines Sur)

▪ Filipino-Japanese Friendship Historical Landmark (Mt. Isarog, Pili, Camarines Sur)

▪ Quipayo Church Historical Landmark (Calabanga, Camarines Sur)

▪ Wenceslao Vinzons Historical Landmark (Vinzons, Camarines Norte)

Western Visayas

▪ Barotac Nuevo Church, Convent and Cemetery Historical Landmark(Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo)

▪ Church of Santa Monica Historical Landmark (Pan-ay, Capiz)

▪ Dumangas Church Historical Landmark (Dumangas, Iloilo)

▪ Ermita Chapel Historical Landmark (Dumangas, Iloilo)

▪ Gen. Aniceto Lacson Historical Landmark (Talisay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ General Juan Araneta Historical Landmark (Bago City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Jaro Belfry Historical Landmark (Jaro, Iloilo City)

▪ Miagao Church Historical Landmark (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

▪ Molo Church Historical Landmark (Molo, Iloilo City)

▪ Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol (Bacolod City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Old Iloilo City Hall (Iloilo City)

▪ Plaza Libertad National Historical Landmark (Iloilo City)

▪ Rosendo Mejica Historical Landmark (Iloilo City)

▪ Santa Barbara Church and Convent Historical Landmark (Santa Barbara, Iloilo)

▪ Silay City Historical Landmark (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

Central Visayas

▪ Baclayon Church Historical Landmark (Baclayon, Bohol)

▪ Bagacay Point Lighthouse Historical Landmark (Liloan, Cebu)

▪ Bank of the Philippine Islands Historical Landmark (Cebu City)

▪ Boljoon Church Historical Landmark (Boljoon, Cebu)

▪ Casa Gorordo Historical Landmark (Cebu City)

▪ Cebu Provincial Capitol (Cebu City)

▪ Church and Convent of Santo Niño (Cebu City)

▪ Church of Dauis and its Complex (Dauis, Bohol)

▪ Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion Historical Landmark(Argao, Cebu)

▪ Church of San Guillermo de Aquitania Historical Landmark (Dalaguete, Cebu)

▪ Church of the Most Holy Trinity Historical Landmark (Loay, Bohol)

▪ Lazi Church and Convent Historical Landmark (Lazi, Siquijor)

▪ Matilde Bradford Memorial Church Historical Landmark (Cebu City)

▪ Punta Cruz Watchtower (Punta Cruz, Bohol)

▪ San Pedro Apostol Church Historical Landmark (Loboc, Bohol)

▪ Sergio Osmeña House Historical Landmark (Cebu City)

▪ Silliman University Historical Landmark (Dumaguete City)

Eastern Visayas

▪ Provincial Capitol Building of the Province of Leyte (Tacloban City)

▪ MacArthur Landing Site (Palo, Leyte)

▪ Maasin Church (Maasin City, Southern Leyte)

Zamboanga Region

▪ Dapitan Plaza Historical Landmark (Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte)

Northern Mindanao

▪ Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo Historical Landmark (Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental)

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

▪ Site of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Tamontaka Historical Landmark (Cotabato City)

Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao

▪ Torogan House (Pompongan-a-Marantao, Marawi City)

▪ Shiek Karimol Mahkdum Mosque (Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-tawi)

National Heritage Houses

Ilocos Region

▪ Syquia Mansion (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

Central Luzon

▪ Augusto P. Hizon Heritage House (San Fernando, Pampanga

Dayrit House (San Fernando, Pampanga)

▪ Henson-Hizon House (San Fernando, Pampanga)

▪ Hizon-Singian House (San Fernando, Pampanga)

▪ Lazatin House (San Fernando, Pampanga)

Southern Tagalog: Calabarzon

▪ Gala-Rodriguez House (Sariaya, Quezon)

▪ Goco House (Taal, Batangas)

▪ Luz-Katigbak House (Lipa, Batangas)

▪ Natalio Enriquez House (Sariaya, Quezon)

▪ Rodriguez House (Sariaya, Quezon)

▪ Sarayba House (Gen. Trias, Cavite)

▪ Ylagan-de la Rosa House (Taal, Batangas)

Southern Tagalog: Mimaropa

▪ Casa Narvas (Boac, Marinduque)

Western Visayas

▪ Lopez Heritage House (La Paz, Iloilo City)

▪ Roca Encantada Heritage House (Buenavista, Guimaras)

▪ Infante Heritage House (La Carlota City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Victor Fernandez Gaston Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Carlos Arceo Ledesma Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Jose Benedicto Gamboa Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Angel Araneta Ledesma Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Benita Jara Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Amelia Hilado Flores Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Alejandro Amechazura Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Augusto Hilado Severino Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Severino Building/Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Manuel Severino Hofileña Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Claudio Hilado Akol Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Manuel de la Rama Locsin Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Felix Tad-y Lacson Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Soledad and Maria Montelibano Lacson Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Kapitan Marciano Montelibano Lacson Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Vicente Conlu Montelibano Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Maria Ledesma Golez Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Jose Ledesma Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Teodoro Morada Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Generoso Reyes Gamboa Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Digna Locsin Consing Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ German Lacson Gaston Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Modesto Ramirez Hojilla (Carlos Javelosa Jalandoni) Heritage House(Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Dr. Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Bernardino Lopez Jalandoni Ancestral House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ German Locsin Unson Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

▪ Delfin Ledesma Ledesma Heritage House (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

Central Visayas

▪ Balay na Tisa Heritage House (Carcar, Cebu)

▪ Clarin Heritage House (Loay, Bohol)

▪ Mercado Mansion Heritage House (Carcar, Cebu)

▪ President Carlos P. Garcia Heritage House (Tagbilaran, Bohol)

▪ Sa Dakong Balay / Don Florencio Noel House (Carcar, Cebu)

▪ Silva House Heritage House (Carcar, Cebu)

Eastern Visayas

▪ Oppus Ancestral House / Southern Leyte Provincial Library (Maasin, Southern Leyte)

Northern Mindanao

▪ Macapagal-Macaraeg Heritage House (Iligan City, Lanao del Norte)

National Historical Site

▪ Biyak-na-Bato Historic Site (San Miguel, Bulacan)

▪ Fort San Felipe Historical Site (Cavite City, Cavite)

▪ Rizal Park (Bagumbayan) Historical Site (Rizal Park, Manila)

▪ Pamitinan Cave Historic Site (Sitio Wawa, San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal)

▪ Birthplace of Claro M. Recto Historical Site (Tiaong, Quezon)

National Monument

▪ Bonifacio National Monument (Caloocan City)

▪ Jose Rizal Monument (Daet, Camarines Norte)

▪ Jose Rizal National Monument (Rizal Park, Manila)

▪ Jose P. Laurel Monument (Santo Tomas, Batangas)

▪ Jorge Barlin National Monument (Baao, Camarines Sur)

Classified Historic Structures

Colonial Churches and Other Houses of Worship

Marked Structures

All structures with markers from the Philippines Historical Committee, National Historical Commission, National Historical Institute, etc. are considered marked sites

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 - NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009

Please see pertinent provisions of RA10066

CRITERIA FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES

The criteria used in evaluating potential entries in the National Registry of Historic Structures are as follows:

1. Properties strongly associated with important historical events or personages and other illustrious Filipinos or whose owner had achieved an enduring contribution toward the enrichment of Filipino historico-cultural heritage.

2. Properties of architectural, cultural, historical, scientific and social significance, including those that depict local aesthetic values or their builders, and those related to a significant historico-cultural experience of the Filipino people;

3. Properties that bear strong foreign architectural influences such as American, Spanish or Japanese and those with strong evidences of an active political, social, economic and cultural relations with neighboring countries;

4. Properties such as gates, walls, forts, towers, bastions, ramparts, parapets, bridges or palisades that stand out as monuments to the artistry, craftsmanship and industry of Filipino artisans and laborers who were responsible for their construction and serve as mute witnesses to the heroic spirit of the Filipinos of yesteryears;

5. Properties which were the site of the first establishments in the Philippines such as the site where the first printing press was built, first commercial house, first theater, first school, first transportation office, etc.;

6. Groups or clusters of buildings or structures, or a whole precinct, district, town center, including plazas, gardens, historic ruins, streets, bridges, fences, visual corridors, vista points and other open spaces and the immediate environs that are given importance because of their setting and not due to their individual elements or characteristics; and

7. All sites and structures must at least be 50 years old and display a high degree of authenticity to qualify for consideration.

CATEGORIZATION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES

Under existing procedures, the framework adopted by the NHI in the evaluation of historical sites and structures for preservation consists of the following:

▪ NATIONAL SHRINES: Historic sites or objects hallowed or honored for their history or association, e.g. the Rizal and Shrines and the Mabini Shrines;

▪ NATIONAL MONUMENTS: Objects, natural features or areas of specific historic interest that are set aside by local or national government as public properties, e.g. the Rizal and Bonifacio Monuments, and the Walls of Intramuros;

▪ NATIONAL LANDMARKS: Places or objects that are associated with an event, achievement, characteristics or modification that presents a turning point or stage in history;

▪ HERITAGE HOUSE: Houses of ancestry with notable historical and cultural significance, e.g. Syquia Mansion, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Houses in Silay City, Negros Occidental;

▪ HISTORIC SITES: Natural areas or places with historical significance, and places recognized, marked, or declared such as Biak-na-bato, San Miguel, Bulacan; Pamitinan Cave, Montalban, Rizal;

▪ CLASSIFIED: Classified - structures and sites not falling under the above five categories are listed as Classified and recorded in the NHI's National Registry of Historic Structures. E.g. All Philippine colonial churches which are more than 50 years old, with or without the official historical marker of the National Historical Institute, by virtue of NHI Board Resolution No. 3, s. 1991.

In the identification procedure, all structures must at least be fifty (50) years old to qualify for consideration.

Below are the designations in the National Museum framework:

"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to preserve and protect the important cultural properties and National Cultural Treasures of the nation and to safeguard their intrinsic value."

~EXCERPT FROM PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 374 AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 4846, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE CULTURAL PROPERTIES PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION ACT"

▪ CULTURAL PROPERTIES: Old buildings, monuments,shrines, documents, and objects which may be classified as antiques, relics, or artifacts, landmarks,anthropological and historical sites, and specimens of natural history which are of cultural, historical, anthropological or scientific value and significance to the nation ; such as physical, anthropological, archaeological and ethnographical materials, meteorites and tektites; historical objects and manuscripts ; household and agricultural implements ; decorative articles or personal adornment; works of art such as paintings,sculptures, carvings, jewelry, music, architecture,sketches, drawings, or illustrations in part or in whole ;works of industrial and commercial art such as furniture, pottery, ceramics, wrought iron, gold, bronze,silver, wood or other heraldic items, metals, coins,medals, badges, insignias, coat of arms, crests, flags,arms, and armor; vehicles or ships or boats in part or in whole.

▪ IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROPERTIES: Cultural properties which have been singled out from among the innumerable cultural properties as having exceptional historical and cultural significance to the Philippines, but are not sufficiently outstanding to merit the classification of "National Cultural Treasures"

▪ NATIONAL CULTURAL TREASURE: A unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to this country and nation