The National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) conducted an initial meeting with the Boljoon Municipal Government on September 2, 2021 to discuss the possible launch of the Local Community Archives (LCA) project in Boljoon. The LCA program is part of NAP’s commitment to assist local communities establish local archives by documenting their own experiences, and gathering their own records.

Executive Director Victorino M. Manalo presented the initial plan of the LCA project to Mayor Merlou D. Derama and to the members of Boljoon LCA project team. He said that Boljoon’s rich cultural heritage is the reason why NAP selected Boljoon as its partner for the pilot launch of LCA in the Province of Cebu—the home of the oldest city in the Philippines.

The LCA project is divided into four phases. The first phase is composed of seminar-workshops on Basic Records and Archives Management (BRAM) and Archives Administration and Disaster Preparedness. Phase two includes seminar-workshops on Community Archives, technical assistance on Inventory of Records and Formulation and Approval of Records Disposition Schedule.

The Phase 3 of LCA project includes training-workshops on Participatory and Inclusive Archival projects for the establishment of LCA, and the last phase includes the Enhancement of Archives Facilities and the possible Transfer & Accession of copies collection to NAP.

Mayor Derama emphasized that Boljoon is indeed rich in cultural heritage, he said that there are existing old ecclesiastical records in their municipality. He also believes that Boljoon’s records should be preserved and protected.

Although the LCA project in Boljoon is expected to commence next year, the NAP will regularly conduct meetings with the Boljoon LCA project team in 2021. Earlier, the NAP had successfully launched LCA partnerships with the Municipal Government of Anini-y in Antique, and the Municipal Government of Jimenez in Misamis Occidental.