Asean cities face uphill battle to preserve heritage

Cultural asset: The Philippines is trying to have the San Sebastian Basilica listed as a World Heritage Site and preserve the country’s heritage value. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network

RIGHT behind San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s most revered churches, a high-rise condominium is under construction, triggering a conflict between developers and conservationists. The unsavoury development also threatens to derail the Philippines’ bid to have the monument listed as a World Heritage Site and preserve the country’s heritage value.

In some other Asean nations, like Thailand or Cambodia, which prioritised a tourism agenda to propel economic growth, activists are fighting a losing battle against developers to preserve built heritage.