LAMITAN CITY, Basilan(October 28) — The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH)-Basilan has been recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as one of 10 key national partners for its work documenting local history and bringing Bangsamoro heritage into the country’s national narrative.
The recognition was conferred during the NHCP’s 93rd founding anniversary celebration on Oct. 22 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
The NHCP cited the BCPCH’s contributions to regional heritage conservation, community-based oral history research and efforts to ensure that Bangsamoro perspectives are represented in the national historical narrative.
In an Oct. 26 interview, BCPCH-Basilan Commissioner Naida Akkalan, speaking on behalf of Chairperson Robert Alonto and the commission, described the award as a significant honor.
“Five months ago, we started a partnership to document Lamitan City’s heritage, preserve our history through research, and safeguard these historical artifacts,” Akkalan said.
She welcomed the recognition as an acknowledgment of the Bangsamoro people’s place in the country’s shared history.
“We are truly glad and honored by the award given to our office, and that the Bangsamoro narrative and history are now part of our national story,” she added.
Akkalan and BCPCH-Tawi-Tawi Commissioner Elmasia Madjilon accepted the award on behalf of Alonto.
The anniversary celebration carried the theme “Kasaysayang Nag-uugnay” (History that Binds), highlighting institutions and individuals supporting the NHCP’s mandate to make Philippine history and cultural heritage accessible to the public.
Other honorees were SM Cares; lawyer Saul Hofileña Jr.; the UP Diliman Main Library; the National Library of the Philippines; the City Government of Biñan; the Municipal Government of Guiuan; the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines; the NCCA Metropolitan Theater Operations Division; and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio.
The recognition places a spotlight on the work of documenting and preserving Bangsamoro history, including local heritage in Lamitan City, as part of the broader effort to build a more inclusive account of the Philippines’ past.
