Senator Loren Legarda on Wednesday underscored cultural preservation as a strategic driver of national development.

In her keynote address during the Cultural Thoughts and Trajectories at Manila House, held in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the National Arts Month celebration, Legarda urged for the recognition of heritage not just as a legacy of the past but as a foundation for future innovation, resilience, and economic growth.

“We cannot predict the world two thousand years from now, but the knowledge, traditions, and stories we preserve today will shape generations to come. Culture is not ornamental – it is a force that sustains livelihoods, fuels industries, and strengthens national identity,” she said.

Legarda framed preservation as a form of soft power, positioning the Philippines as a leader in sustainable development through indigenous knowledge and artistic excellence.

She cited the Cordillera Rice Terraces as an example of ancestral ingenuity offering solutions to modern challenges like climate change and food security.

“The world now looks back to these ancient marvels – not just to admire, but to learn,” she said.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, Legarda has championed key policies, including the National Cultural Heritage Act (Republic Act No. 10066) and the Cultural Mapping Law (Republic Act No. 11961), which mandates a comprehensive inventory of Filipino heritage.

Her efforts extend to international platforms, from leading the Philippines’ return to the Venice Biennale to securing its role as guest of honour at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Beyond legislation, Legarda’s initiatives have translated heritage preservation into tangible economic opportunities, from community-driven programs and sustainable crafts to cultural diplomacy through the Sentro Rizal global network and Philippine Studies programs in universities worldwide.

“Heritage is an asset. The hands that keep it alive – our artisans, cultural workers, and scholars – must be equipped with the necessary support to sustain their craft as a viable profession. Anything less is a betrayal of the legacy we seek to protect,” she said.

Legarda, who also serves as United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Champion for Resilience, highlighted the intersection of culture and climate action, advocating for indigenous wisdom in shaping policies on forest conservation, coastal protection, and disaster risk reduction. (PNA)