The Philippine government and the Vatican plan to start implementing an agreement that will protect, maintain and identify centuries-old Catholic churches as heritage sites, according to the Star newspaper.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams ratified the agreement which was signed by President Gloria Arroyo and Pope Benedict XVI last year.

The agreement will strengthen ongoing efforts of the Vatican to undertake a comprehensive inventory of Catholic churches in the Philippines, said Romulo, adding this will help in the identification of churches in the Philippines that need "proper restoration." The agreement will also criminalize the trafficking of art objects from Catholic churches, making it harder for commercial antique sellers to offer artifacts that were looted from holy sites. In addition, it would also allow government security forces help in securing the properties and artifacts of Catholic churches.

"The cultural patrimony of this nation takes its origin from the Catholic Church," said Adams. He explained that preserving heritage churches now will strengthen concrete expressions of preserving faith.