Abstract

As demonstrated in archaeology, underwater cultural heritage (UCH) has provided significant contributions towards the understanding of heritage connections across the globe. However, the development of the discipline in the Philippines has also been hampered by confusing legalities, treasure hunting activities, and financial constraints that diminish the influence of its impact and potential reach. More so, the effects of natural hazards, climate change, and other human activities on UCH have not yet been fully documented, making it more susceptible to potential threats and destruction. The COVID-19 pandemic makes archaeological campaigns and monitoring even more difficult. These considerations make Philippine UCH vulnerable and raise questions whether its contribution will still be relevant for the present and future generations. This article provides a status update of underwater archaeological activities and synthesises the challenges of managing UCH in the Philippines in the past 40 years. It outlines the practices, partnerships, and transitions made by various stakeholders in response to the growing discipline and community interest. This article problematises the value ascription of these stakeholders to UCH as seen in conventional arrangements, development of policies, and bureaucratic set-ups. The applicability of the values-led theory and the people-centred management model is examined given the traditional valuing of UCH that is material or fabric-based. The gaps pointed here are opportunities to build a shared stewardship view that connects UCH in the entirety of people and the sea wellbeing.

Highlights

  • The protection of Philippine underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in terms of archaeological practice in the last four decades has been challenging and complex

  • The birth of the Underwater Archaeology Unit (UAU) was a response to unsystematic shipwreck investigations by inexperienced staff and groups in the earlier decades

  • Engaging the stakeholders is a proven practice that enables both negative and positive outcomes based on different investment levels or layers of involvement in a UCH project

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Summary

Introduction

The protection of Philippine underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in terms of archaeological practice in the last four decades has been challenging and complex. The shipwrecks and wreck sites in Subic Bay (see King et al 2019) and Calamianes Group of Islands (see Fabinyi 2008) are good candidates to develop archaeological tourism programmes founded on UCH education and protection since the dive community and local officials are already promoting these UCH sites, albeit without clearly defined conservation management plans.

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