The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts in preserving and promoting accurate historical narratives to combat the rise of fake news. During the launch of National Heritage Month (NHM) 2025 in Dapitan City, officials stressed the need for communities to take charge of documenting and safeguarding their cultural heritage amidst the prevalence of misinformation online.
Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, head of the NCCA’s museums committee, highlighted the necessity of a fact-checking mechanism to address the spread of disinformation and ensure the preservation of authentic historical accounts. He urged communities to actively engage in writing, preserving, and sharing their cultural practices to counter the digital noise that often distorts the truth.
The theme for NHM 2025, “Preserving legacy, building futures, empowering communities through heritage,” underscores the significance of community-driven initiatives in safeguarding cultural heritage. Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, in charge of the NCCA’s monuments and sites committee, emphasized the role of individuals in upholding their traditions and stories, emphasizing that history should be engaging and narrative-driven, not just a collection of dates and names.
As part of this year’s NHM activities, the NCCA will focus on capacity building and training programs, aiming to enhance heritage awareness within communities. Initiatives such as seminar-workshops on library resource preservation, restoration, and digital archiving, in collaboration with the National Library, aim to equip individuals with the skills needed to preserve historical materials in the digital age.
Furthermore, discussions on the vulnerability of ecclesiastical archives and cultural heritage to various threats like climate change and political conflicts will be held, shedding light on the challenges faced in protecting historical artifacts. The NCCA also plans to conduct training sessions on the preservation and conservation of heritage structures in different parts of the Philippines to ensure the longevity of these significant landmarks.
Following the launch event, NCCA officials visited historical sites in Dapitan, including Balay Hamoy, a private museum documenting the friendship between Jose Rizal and Mariano Hamoy. These efforts underscore the importance of community involvement in preserving and promoting accurate historical narratives, countering the proliferation of fake news and misinformation in today’s digital landscape.
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