THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its Cultural Properties Regulation Division, reopens the “Asean Regional Dialogue: Building Foundations for Cooperation in Cultural Heritage Protection,” in Clark, Pampanga on June 22 to 24.

Building on the Asean–Italy cooperation on cultural heritage protection, the dialogue highlights the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships, sharing best practices, and exploring pathways for future regional cooperation.

Through country presentations, thematic discussions, and heritage site learning engagements, Asean partners come together to build stronger foundations toward protecting the region’s diverse and shared cultural heritage.

NCCA Chairman and Asean Minister Responsible for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines, Dr. Eric Zerrudo, delivered an inspirational message and read the keynote message from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Discussions focused on four key areas: multi-agency coordination models, examining how culture agencies, law enforcement, customs authorities, disaster management offices, and other stakeholders can enhance cooperation and response mechanisms; information sharing and documentation systems, addressing the need for accessible, operable, and effective platforms to support heritage protection efforts; legal and policy environments, reflecting on national frameworks, implementation challenges, and opportunities to strengthen cultural property protection and enforcement; and capacity development and institutional gaps, identifying needs in resources, technical expertise, training, and community engagement.