Community-based cultural heritage preservation through the Purok system: a mixed-methods case study in a Philippine...

The preservation of cultural heritage is a universal concern that has to reach the local community to protect its history, identity, and pride. But despite various national and local heritage initiatives in the Philippines, limited research has examined how micro-level units function, such as the Purok system. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to examine the cultural heritage preservation of the Municipality of Liloan, Cebu. A survey of 264 members from six puroks was analyzed using linear regression models, and a focus group discussion with 20 purposively selected participants was conducted. The quantitative results show that awareness plays a more critical role than participation in influencing local government initiatives, indicating a positive relationship with the independent variables. This implies that higher awareness and greater participation are generally associated with more substantial government-led preservation efforts. Further, the participation in cultural activities has a positive, statistically significant effect on community initiatives; however, awareness of cultural heritage preservation shows a negative relationship, suggesting that awareness alone may not translate into active community preservation initiatives. The qualitative analysis emphasizes themes of lived engagement, stewardship, and motivational pathways, demonstrating that preservation is reinforced through shared responsibilities, social interaction, collective identity, continuity, and community meaning rather than solely through knowledge. The findings also reveal that younger residents show lower levels of engagement, yet their digital skills offer opportunities for innovative documentation and promotion of heritage assets. These results indicate the potential of the Purok system as a community-based framework for strengthening participatory and sustainable cultural heritage preservation efforts.