LAGAWE, Ifugao – – There is indeed so much to learn from this young man who is certainly going to attain more achievements in the coming years.
That was rather still an inadequate way of describing way the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) head’s phenomenal rise in public service, one which his province mates should follow or emulate, almost as a sequel to “success story” of Governor Pedro Mayam-o, who appointed him to this position nearly ten months ago.
By May 15 to 19 of this year, William Mamanglo shall represent the Philippines in the prestige-laden meeting in Morocco. Billed as “The Role of the Historic Urban Landscape Approach in the Nomination and Conservation of Cultural Landscapes in the Arab Region,” the forthcoming program is a meeting of international experts.
It is intended to capacitate states parties in the Arab region on the concept and subsequent protection measures of cultural landscapes in the World Heritage Sites List. Particularly, participants are to look into the UNESCO (United Nations Education and Scientific and Cultural Organization) 2011 recommendation in the Historic Urban Landscape as a possible framework in appreciating cultural landscapes in the said region, which to date is a World Heritage category that has been severely under prescribed in their areas.
Mamanglo is currently the chief officer of the all-important ICHO, which is recognized for its master-planned initiatives to preserve the world-famous rice terraces in Banaue.
As a notable cultural landscape within the World Heritage List, an expert in the person of Mr. Mamanglo on the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, has been invited to share his expert opinion and views on how to protect and manage said man-made wonders.
The young and articulate ICHO head hails from Banaue town. He worked as an Executive Assistant to then Vice Governor Mayam-o.
Like Governor Mayam-o, Mr. Mamanglo has been an unflinching advocate of not only safeguarding the province’s popular and enchanting rice terraces but, also of good governance that upholds integrity in public service.
“I am very sure that Mr. Mamanglo shall make us all proud in the said gathering. I wish him continued success in the coming years ahead,” Governor Mayam-o said.
In an exclusive interview with the Zigzag Weekly, Governor Mayam-o cited the need for dedicated public servants like Mr. Mamanglo in order to realize the collective aspirations of the people in this part of the country.
Governor Mayam-o’s endorsement of Mamanglo’s nomination counts a lot since there is no dispute of the fact that Atty. Mayam-o genuinely cares for the future of this impoverished province.
With a solid background and knowledge of the five or so UNESCO-declared World Heritage Sites, Mamanglo is setting a high standard that next generation of Ifugao leaders should either keep or exceed his gains and that of Governor Mayam-o in upgrading the conditions of these rice terraces.
The meeting’s venue is the historic and scenic Chefchaouen City. Mamonglo’s all-expenses paid trip has been facilitated by the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO.
Beyond its importance to both Mr. Mamanglo and Governor Mayam-o, the state of Ifugao’s rice terraces has been a long time concern for many in the private sector in this upland province.
he five-day meeting offers a wide range of opportunities for Mr. Mamanglo to inspire the implementation of more measures to protect rice terraces throughout the world. With a common set of analytical concepts and tools for integrating vital concerns into development programs and projects, the Moroccan participants are expected to address key issues related to cultural landscapes. **By Anthony A. Araos
