The Philippines has six World Heritage Sites as designated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Of the six sites, three are cultural and three are natural. These sites were selected based on it cultural and historical significance as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
Between 1993-1999, the first five sites include the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef National Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, City of Vigan, and the Rice Terraces. Then in 2014 Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary was added as the sixth UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cultural Sites
Baroque Churches of the Philippines – UNESCO
The Baroque Churches of the Philippines consists of four Roman Catholic churches constructed between the 16th and the18th centuries in the Spanish period of the Philippines. These churches are the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, and Miagao Church in Iloilo. These churches were excellent examples of Philippine interpretation of the Baroque style. It also shows the blending of European design and the use of local materials and motifs to create a new church-building tradition.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras – UNESCO
Built 2000 years ago and passed on from generation to generation, the Ifugao Rice Terraces are the priceless contribution of Philippine ancestors to humanity. It is an outstanding example of an evolved, living cultural landscape. It is considered remarkable for the terraces to continue and endure for thousands of years despite the advances in modern society.
Historic City of Vigan – UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the most intact example in Asia of a planned Spanish colonial town. The area contains the historic footprint of the entire town and consists of a total of 233historic buildings tightly strung along a grid of 25 streets. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
Natural Sites
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park – UNESCO
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is located in the centre of the Sulu Sea. It covers close to 100,000 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea. The reef ecosystems support over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish. The reserve also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – UNESCO
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park has one of the most impressive cave systems. It features spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife. The whole park has an area of about 22,000 hectares, and includes an 8.2km long underground river. One of the river’s distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences.
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary – UNESCO
The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary provides critical habitat for a range of plant and animal species. The property showcases terrestrial and aquatic habitats at different elevations, and includes threatened and endemic flora and fauna species, eight of which are found only at Mount Hamiguitan. These include critically endangered trees, plants and the iconic Philippine eagle and Philippine cockatoo.
