According to John Delan Robillos and Maria Lorena Guba, Senior Facilitators of the NCCA cultural mapping trainings and workshops, the forum is the first to be conducted in the country, using the new cultural mapping design and guide under the NCCA Cultural Mapping Program, as part of the celebration of the National Heritage Month this May.

In line with the theme “ Heritage: Change and Continuity”, the forum outputs – cultural mapping of tangible and intangible local cultural heritage and a Project Development Plan, may serve as a start of a collaboration among local government, youth groups and other community sectors in more purposive programs geared towards the understanding, conservation and use of heritage in community development and nation-building.
Cong. Kiko in his opening message said, “ Cultural heritage is more than just bricks and stones, more than just old buildings and monuments. It is a living, breathing part of our collective identity, the very soul of our nation”.
“Let us work together to document, conserve, understand, appreciate and promote our cultural heritage, to ensure that it remains a vital part of our national identity for years to come. For in doing so, we honor not only our past but also the future that we hope to build, “ he urged the forum participants.

The FHFI headed by its president Armita B. Rufino, represented by Program Coordinators Leslie Neis Noble and Judith Neric, and Angelo Detera of the Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division of NCCA, worked closely with the 3rd District Office in the implementation of the Youth Forum on Heritage. Co-sponsors included the local governments of Victorias, E.B. Magalona, Talisay, Murcia, and Bacolod City, with the support and participation of Magikland Park, owned and operated by Aton Land and Leisure, Inc. and the Slow Food Negros Community .*