ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to explore the government initiatives among the cultural workers in the Province of Batangas in the preservation of heritage sites using the qualitative method design. Through purposeful sampling, 10 participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather data.
Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the participants described the superordinate themes that emerged as follows: Importance of Heritage Sites, preservation was important to ensure that future generations can learn from the mistakes of the past; Adaptation of Local and National Rules and Regulations in the Preservation of Heritage Sites, majority of the laws and ordinances were adaptations of national laws and ordinances; Financial and Professional Support, the government set aside a portion of its annual budget to assist cultural workers or the owners of heritage sites; Participation in the Cultural Mapping, and Taking Action on Preserving the Heritage Sites, the government usually helped in taking the lead in protecting heritage sites; People’s Reactions, there were factors that frequently influence how rules and regulations were implemented to preserve heritage assets; Appropriate Programs that Address Issues, there were specific actions and programs like inventory of heritage sites, documentation, and others; Positive and Negative Reactions of People, heritage places were still preserved, cared for, and accessible to future generations; Effective but Challenging, it was efficient, and the government allocated funds and draft resolutions to safeguard them, Full to No Support, their local government offered them a lot of help; Awareness of the Importance of Culture, workers in the cultural sector can work together to create stronger programs for promotion, preservation, and restoration; Strategies to Help in Improving the Programs for Preservation of the Heritage Sites, the strategies were the continuous updating of their knowledge; and Continuous Implementation, Promotion, and Awareness of the Program, continued implementation, promotion, and raising awareness of the laws and regulations were important to fostering trust between the community and the government. As an output of the study, a heritage development plan was proposed.
Keywords: Cultural Workers, Government Initiatives, Heritage Sites Preservation, Lived Experiences, Phenomenology
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