Thanks for this Zos!
Zos:
Coron Island is definitely top notch and should be combined with El Nido-Taytay – for their marine ecosystem and beauty and for their heritage of Tagbanua people
- definitely should be combined to make a stronger case for inscription.
Zos:
Batanes – overdue for renomination and based on previous evaluation will have higher chance for inscription with better dossier and bigger area by including natural values
- while I think the natural side is definitely unquestionable, I am worried about the cultural side of this mixed tentative site due to development and the 2019 earthquake
Zos:
Paleolithic Sites in Cagayan Valley has merits given the classification of
Homo luzonensis as a new hominid species and also of megafauna remains
- The discovery of
Homo luzonensis made its outstanding universal value more pronounced.
Given the biogeographical and biodiversity status of the country, I'd probably give priority to natural sites. Too bad we haven't heard any developments regarding Mount Mantalingahan (I checked with Bernard and it looks like there are no updates regarding the nomination). I'd definitely add
Verde Island Passage with Apo Reef as an extension as a representative of the "Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity" within the Coral Triangle (see this article:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048958). This could also motivate Indonesia to nominate Raja Ampat, which I think needs to be inscribed soon.