Decision 44 COM 7B.149

Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Philippines) (C 677bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7B.74 adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Welcomes the substantial efforts made by the State Party to develop relevant documents, including an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA), a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and the Intramuros Conservation Management Plan (CMP), to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed Binondo-Intramuros Bridge (BIB) project on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
4. Notes with concern that the BIB project could have indirect and long-term impacts on the OUV of the property, and requests the State Party to:
   1. Reconsider the design of the BIB, its location and the possibility of a ‘no-project option’, having regard to the ICOMOS Technical Review and the recommendations and mitigation measures of the AIA and HIA, such as converting the surrounding streets and roads of the San Agustin Church into pedestrian areas, conducting structural assessment of the Church and adapting the design of the bridge approach to the character of Intramuros,
   2. Revise and update the HIA for the BIB project,
   3. Expand the AIA for the BIB project in accordance with the findings of the ICOMOS technical review,
   4. Revise the CMP to facilitate long-term management and conservation of all the attributes that convey the significance of the property,
   5. Provide further information regarding the proposed reconstruction of the Baluarte de Santo Domingo,
   6. Submit revised documentation for the BIB project, including updated AIA, HIA and CMP to the World Heritage Centre for further review by ICOMOS before any decision is made that would be difficult to reverse or any substantial progress made with project implementation;
5. Encourages the State Party to provide information to the public regarding the project and communicate with stakeholders, including heritage experts and local communities, to develop a robust management structure that ensures the conservation of the property;
6. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session.