EIGTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2020
liE
E-FILED
iCO
t»me:J£;29^
&y
INO'EX.
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution mandates that the State shall "conserve, promote and 
popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic 
creations."1 It further emphasizes that "all the country's artistic and historic wealth 
constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the 
State which may regulate its disposition."2
The culture and heritage of our country play an important role in the lives of 
every Filipino, as it provides a sense of national identity which binds us together as a 
nation. However, in the past years, we have seen a lack of appreciation and wanton 
disregard for our cultural properties — important historical and heritage sites are not 
properly preserved and protected. The limited regional presence of cultural offices also 
became a huge hindrance in the implementation of various cultural programs. In order 
to address these perennial problems, the need for strong policies and effective 
enforcement of relevant laws on the protection of our culture is immediate and 
necessary.
This bill proposes to reorganize the National Commission for Culture and the 
Arts (NCCA) to a Department of Culture, in order to create a national body, with the 
corresponding personnel and budgetary requirement, that will be responsible for the 
implementation of policy and strategic direction for the protection, regulation.
1 Sec. 15, Art. XIV of the 1987 Constitution
2 Sec. 16, Art. XIV of the 1987 Constitution


preservation, and management of the country's culture. The Department will also have 
quasi-judicial functions which will allow it to effectively safeguard the cultural 
properties of the country.
The Department wiii likewise ensure support for the development of our 
cultural, artistic, and creative industries and assist in the implementation of culture 
and arts initiatives. In line with this, the said Department wili help in the attainment 
of our Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal No. 11, Target 11. 4, which 
calis for strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the worid's cuitural and natural 
heritage.
For these reasons, the approval of this biii is earnestly sought.
AYETAN


1HE
EIGTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2020
r:go' " EXILED*"V
ULt r> A T P r -January 26 2021
\(J>
TiMP *-10:29 am
COj
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short We. This Act shall be known as the "Department of Culture Act. ‘
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
a) 
To recognize that culture is a unifying, humanizing and modernizing 
agent/instrument of any society, and the patrimony and right of every 
citizen of the Philippines;
b) 
To recognize the vital role of culture in nation-building;
c) 
To incorporate considerations of culture in the formulation of appropriate 
and significant political and economic policy that will better serve Rlipinos 
and ensure that all Rlipinos enjoy full cultural rights, take full advantage 
of a dynamic cultural experience, and be inspired, sustained by, draw from, 
contribute to and celebrate the country's culture;
d) 
To create a national body, which will develop, manage and be responsible 
for the implementation of policy, legislation and strategic direction for the 
protection, regulation, preservation, development, management, 
dissemination and promotion of the country's culture, relative to the


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immense national resources; patrimony and wealth engendered and
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amassed through countless generations and centuries of distinctive Rlipino
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ways of life and experiences in specific natural and social environments
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that this represents, and to facilitate the convergence of various agencies
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with cultural mandates and rationalize their organizations and functions;
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To foster, strengthen, and accelerate the convergence of various
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cultural offices agencies, and rationalize their organizations and
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functions;
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f) To recognize that cultural education is the right of every citizen and
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therefore ensure that cultural literacy is inculcated In the development and
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education of all Rlipinos;
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g) 
To promote the national language of the country while enhancing the
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linguistic diversity of the Philippines; and,
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h) To secure and improve the welfare of Rlipino artists and cultural workers.
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The Department shall continually review the state and needs of culture and arts in
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the context of the country's developmental goals.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be
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defined as follow:
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a) "Art"s\\d\\ refer to the expression or application of human creative skill and
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imagination.
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b) 
"Conservation"shall refer to all process and measures of maintaining the
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cultural significance of a cultural property, including but not limited to,
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preservation, restoration, reconstruction, protection, adaptive re-use or
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any combination thereof.
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c) 
"Cuiturai agencies"shaW refer to any of the following national government
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agencies with their specific areas of responsibility: National Museum of the
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Philippines (cultural property), the National Library of the Philippines
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(books). National Historical Commission 
, of the Philippines 
(Philippine
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history), the National Archives of the Philippines (documents) the Cultural


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Center of the Philippines (culture and arts) and Komisyon sa Wikang 
Filipino (language).
d) 
"Cultural Education"shdW refer to the teaching and learning of cultural 
concepts and processes.
e) 
"Cultural Heritage"shaW refer to the totality of cultural property preserved 
and developed through time and passed on to posterity.
f) 
"Cultural Property"shaW refer to all products of human creativity by which 
people and nation reveal their identity, including architecture and sites or 
human activity [churches, mosques and other places of religious worship, 
schools] and natural history specimens and sites, whether public or 
privately owned, movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible.
g) 
"Culture"s\\aW refer to the broad spectrum of people's beliefs, practices, 
customs and traditions, material culture, arts, and other forms of actual 
and symbolic expressions and representations which are handed down 
from one generation to the next in the process of interaction.
h) 
"History"s\\aW refer to a written record of past events relating to Philippine 
history.
i) 
"Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples"s\\aW refer to a 
group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and 
ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community 
on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims 
of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such 
territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and 
other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, 
social and cultural Inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and 
cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Rlipinos. 
ICCs/IPs shall likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on 
account of their descent from the populations which inhabited the country, 
at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads of non- 
indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state


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boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cuitural 
and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their 
traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral 
domains;
j) "Intangible Cultural Heritage" shall refer to practices, representations, 
expressions, knowledge, skills, as well as instrument, objects and artifacts 
associated therewith, that communities, groups and individuai recognize 
as part of their cultural heritage, such as: (1) oral traditions, usages, 
customs, languages and other expressions; (2) performing arts; (3) social 
practices, religious rites, rituals, culinary traditions, and festive events; (4) 
knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, worship and 
(5) traditional craftsmanship.
ARTICLE II
The Department of Culture
Sec. 4. Creation of the Department of Culture. There is hereby created the 
Department of Culture (Kagawaran ng Kultura), hereinafter referred to as the 
Department, which shall be the primary policy-formulating, planning, coordinating, 
implementing, and administrative entity of the executive branch of the National 
Government that will implement the pertinent provisions of the Constitution regarding 
culture and arts as well as the aforementioned policy of the State.
The Department with its attached agencies shall be responsible for the protection, 
preservation, regulation, deveiopment, management, dissemination and promotion of 
the cultural, historical and artistic heritage and resources, tangible and Intangible, of the 
Philippines and the Filipino people, all of which, with their physical and social contexts 
and environments, are understood as together constituting and pertaining to Philippine 
culture for purposes of this Act.


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The Department shall continually review the state and needs of culture and arts in
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the context of the countr/s developmental goals.
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Sec. 5. General Mandates. The Department shall exercise the following mandates:
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a) To protect and promote the diversity of cultural and artistic expressions
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and foster the development of creative industries;
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b) 
To conserve, safeguard, and develop the Nation's historical and cultural
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heritage; and,
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c) 
To ensure the widest dissemination of the artistic and cuitural products
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among the greatest number across the country and overseas.
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Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. The Department shall exercise the following powers
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and functions:
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a) 
Formulate and implement national policies, plans, programs, and guidelines
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for the protection, preservation, safeguarding, regulation, development,
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management, dissemination and promotion of culture, to ensure overall
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consistency, effectiveness, efficiency, and conformity with the poiicies of
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the State articulated in the Constitution as well as in this Act and other
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pertinent laws and issuances;
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b) 
Assume and exercise all existing regulatory and quasi-judicial functions
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established under Republic Act No. 4846, or "The Cultural Properties
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Preservation and Protection Act," Presidential Decree No. 374, or
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"Amending the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act;"
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Republic Act No. 8491, or" The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines',"
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Republic Act No. 9105, or "Art and Forgery Act of 2001)" Republic Act No.
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10066, or " The National Cultural Heritage Act of2009;"ax\d, Republic Act
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No. 10086 or "Strengthening Peoples' Nationalism Through Philippine
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History Act," and all reaulatorv functions transferred to the National
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Commission for Culture and the Arts through Republic Act No. 11333 or
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"National Museum of the PhilioDlnes Act'i as well as such functions
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promulgated through executive issuances that pertain to the agencies of


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the National Government covered under this Act, which are all hereby 
transferred in toto to the Department from the said agencies;
c) 
Be responsible for disaster risk reduction and management relative to 
culture and cultural property, both through its own programs and projects 
as well as through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, 
on which it shall have full membership, representation and participation;
d) 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the designation, through 
Presidential Proclamation, with appropriate published guidelines pertaining 
thereto, of a cultural property, whether Immovable or movable, tangible or 
Intangible, as a National Cultural Monument, a category hereby established 
which incorporates the previously-established legal definitions of, criteria 
pertaining to, and all cultural property previously declared by authorized 
agencies as National Cultural Treasure, National Historical Landmark, 
National Historical Shrine, National Historical Monument, and National 
Historical Site;
e) 
Designate, through Department Order, and with appropriate published 
guidelines pertaining thereto, cultural property, whether Immovable or 
movable, tangible or intangible, as National Cultural Property, a category 
hereby established which incorporates the previously-established legal 
definitions of, criteria pertaining to, and all cultural property previously 
declared by authorized agencies as Important Cultural Property and 
Heritage House;
f) 
Administer the qualification and selection, with appropriate published 
guidelines pertaining thereto, of the Award for National Living Treasures 
{Gawadsa Manlilikha ngBayan), which is hereby renamed as the Order of 
National Living Treasures {Orden ng mga Pambansang Manlilikha ng 
Bayan), and the Order of National Artists {Orden ng mga Pambansang 
Aiagad ng Sining), and recommend those nominees to either Order who


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have been qualified and selected to the President of the Philippines, for 
proclamation as such and conferral of the same;
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Administer the qualification, selection and conferral of such other awards 
as it may establish in support of its mandate;
h) 
Undertake the education, training and certification of cultural officers and 
personnel as a necessary qualification for employment and promotion in 
the National Government and in local governments where such might be 
required by the Department in coordination with the Civil Service 
Commission and the Career Executive Service Board, at the career sub­
professional, career professional, and career executive levels, to Include 
appropriate courses and programs towards certificates, diplomas, and 
undergraduate and graduate degrees, through the establishment of the 
following, but not limited to. National Institutes:
1. National Institute of Language and Translation
2. National Institute of Living Traditions
3. National Institute of Cultural Heritage Conservation
4. National Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries
i) 
Support the development of the cultural, artistic and creative industries of 
the country, in all particulars and at all levels;
j) 
Administer the endowment funds established separately under Section 20 
of Republic Act No. 7356, The Law Creating the National Commission for 
culture and the Arts/'and Section 50 of Republic Act No. 10066, which are 
herein consolidated into a single National Endowment Fund for Culture and 
Arts (NEFCA) that shall continue to be sourced and augmented as provided 
by the aforementioned provisions, and provide financial support from this 
fund for various national programs through a system of grants drawing 
from the proceeds, including both principal and interest, of the same, 
subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.


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k) 
Create a National Culture and Arts Advisory Council, and Regional Culture
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and Arts Committees, to assist the Department in the implementation of
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culture and arts initiatives.
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The Department may create sectoral and industry task forces, technical
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working groups, advisory bodies or committees for the furtherance of its
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objectives. Additional private sector representatives, such as from the
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academe, CSOs, and federation of private Industries directly Involved In
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culture and the arts as well as representatives of other LGUs, and GOCCs
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may be appointed to these working groups.
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m) 
Other powers and functions as may be created, assigned or transferred by
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the President of the Philippines in accordance with law.
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Sec. 7. Composition. The Department proper shall include the Office of the
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Secretary and the staff units directly under it, including the Services established herein.
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The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary, at least three (3)
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Undersecretaries, and at least five (5) Assistant Secretaries, together with the personnel
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in their immediate offices.
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Sec. 8. Secretary of Cuiture. The authority and responsibility for the exercise of
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the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall
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be vested in the Secretary, who shall have supervision and control of the Department
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and shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, subject to the confirmation
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by the Commission on Appointments.
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Sec. 9. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. —The Secretary shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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a) 
Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of
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the Department and exercise administrative supervision over its attached
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agencies;
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b) 
Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and economical
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operation of the Department, In accordance with the programs of
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government;
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c) 
Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out department 
mandates, objectives, policies, functions, plans, programs and projects;
d) 
Promulgate administrative issuances necessary for the efficient 
administration of the offices under the Secretary and for proper execution 
of the laws relative thereto. These issuances shall not prescribe penalties 
for their violation, except when expressly authorized by law;
e) 
Rationalize delivery systems necessary for the effective attainment of the 
objectives of the Department, in accordance with the programs of 
Government;
f) 
Appoint all officers and employees of the Department except those whose 
appointments are vested in the President or in some other appointing 
authority and shall appoint employees to positions in the second level in 
the regiona; offices as defined in this Act and in accordance with the Civil 
Service laws, rules and regulations;
g) 
Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees under the 
Secretary in accordance with law, including their investigation and the 
designation of a committee or officer to conduct such investigation;
h) 
Sit on the governing boards of attached agencies as provided in this Act, 
as well as any other agencies or organizations as may be appropriate or 
designated;
i) 
Coordinate with local governments, other agencies and public and private 
interests' groups, including non-government organizations (NGOs) and 
people's organizations (POs) on Department policies and initiatives;
j) 
Advise the President of the Philippines and make recommendations on 
the promulgation of executive and administrative orders and regulatory 
and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to culture;
k) Formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically 
and objectively the performance of the Department and submit the same 
annually to the President;


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I) Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of Budget
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and Management an estimate of the necessary expenditures of the
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department during the next fiscai year, on the basis of the reports and
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estimates submitted by bureaus and officers under the Department;
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m) Exercise jurisdiction over aii bureaus, offices, agencies and corporations
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under the Department as are provided by law; and,
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n) Represent the Philippines In matters pertaining to culture in overseas
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regional and international organizations and events.
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o) Performs such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by
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the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
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Sec. 10. Undersecretaries. The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3)
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Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the
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recommendation of the Secretary, two (2) of whom shall be appointed officers and 1
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(one) shall be a career officer. In general, the undersecretaries shall:
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a) 
Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and Implementation
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of department objectives and policies;
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b) Oversee all the operational activities of the bureau or units for which he
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shall be responsible as assigned by the Secretary;
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c) 
Coordinate the programs and projects of the same and be responsible
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for its economical, efficient and effective administration;
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d) Whenever necessary be designated to serve as deputy to the Secretary
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in all matters relating to the operations of the department; the designated
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Undersecretary will temporarily discharge the duties of the Secretary in the
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latter's absence or Inability to discharge his or her duties for any cause or in
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case of vacancy of the said office, unless otherwise provided by law; the
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President of the Philippines shall likewise make the temporary designation of
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Acting Secretary to the same; and
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e) 
Perform such other functions, and duties as may be provided by law.
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Sec. 11. Assistant Secretaries. Each Undersecretary shall be assisted by an
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Assistant Secretary shail be career officers and shail perform duties assigned by the
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Undersecretaries, who shali be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the
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recommendation of the Secretary.
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Sec. 12. Qualifications. No person shail be appointed Secretary, Undersecretary,
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or Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he or she is a citizen and resident of
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the Philippines, of good moral character, and of proven integrity, and with at ieast
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seven (7) years of competence/ expertise/ experience as manager, advocate, scholar,
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or practitioner in fieids of endeavor related to Philippine culture and the mandate and
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functions of the Department.
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ARTICLE II
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The Department Services
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Sec. 13. Department Services. — Subject to the power of the Secretary, with the
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approval of the President, to reorganize, restructure, and redefine the functions of the
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services for the effective discharge of the powers and functions of the Department
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under this Act, the Department shail provide seven (7) initiai services which include the
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(1) Internal Audit Service, (2) Administrative and Human Resources Development
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Service, (3) Financial Management Service, (4) Policy and Planning Service, (5) Legai
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Affairs Service, (6) Program Evaluation and Monitoring Service and (7) Nationai
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Endowment and Grants Management Services.
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Further, recognizing the possibie increase of stakeholders served and areas
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covered, the Department shall, if deemed necessary, expand its services to inciude the
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Generai Administrative Service, Physical Facilities Management Service, Strategic
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Communications and Initiatives Service, Knowledge and Information Systems, and the
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Foreign Assisted and Special Project Service.
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ARTICLE IV
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The Bureaus
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Sec. 14. The Bureaus of the Department— The Department shall exercise
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supervision and control over the following six (6) Bureaus which are created under it:
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a) 
Bureau of Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts Development- shall
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formulate and implement plans, programs and activities for the
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development of the different cultural communities all over the country,
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ensure the preservation and dissemination of the country's diverse
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cultures, establish schools/institute for living traditions, encourage the
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continued practice and development of traditional arts and crafts,
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document the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), and
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cause the recognition of outstanding traditional artists.
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b) 
Bureau of Cultural Properties Protection and Regulation - shall be in-
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charge of the registration and documentation of the nation's historical and
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cultural properties, issue permits and license, conduct inspection and
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assessment on cultural properties, implement Disaster Risk Reduction
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program for the cultural assets, enforce laws on cultural heritage
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conservation and intellectual property protection for artists and cultural
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experts, and accredit and provide standards for the classification and
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professionalization of artists.
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c) 
Bureau of Cultural Properties Preservation - shall formulate and implement
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plans, programs, and activities for the preservation of tangible and
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intangible cultural heritage, provide architectural, engineering, scientific,
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and conservation laboratory services, provide support to monuments and
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sites, museums and galleries and libraries and archives all over the
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country.
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d) 
Bureau of Artistic Resources Development - shall ensure the continuing
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and balance development of the nation's artistic heritage in its various
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forms; performing arts, film and media arts, visual arts, architecture and
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allied arts and literature, provide support to regional and local culture and
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arts centers, performing arts and exhibition venues, ensure the welfare of
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artists and cultural workers, undertake human resource development
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programs for artists.
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e) 
Bureau of Philippine Languages, Cultural Research, Education, and
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Dissemination - shall undertake cultural research for policy and program
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development, publish cultural materials, especially on positive Filipino
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values for dissemination, manage the cultural education program for the
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country, ensure the development and promotion of Philippine ianguages,
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impiement national translation program, and implement national
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promotion program in various forms of media.
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f) 
Bureau of Creative Industries - shall formulate plans and programs to
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ignite the innovative and entrepreneurial mindset of Rlipino artists and
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establish industries in the various genre of arts; performing arts, cinema,
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books and publications, creative designs, culinary lifestyle and architecture
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and allied arts, and others.
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Each bureau shall work in close coordination and provide support, if necessary,
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to the concerned attached agencies.
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Each Bureau shall be headed by a Bureau Director, who shall be assisted by one
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(1) Assistant Bureau Director. The Bureau Director and Assistant Bureau Director shall
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be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. Provided,
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that he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, and
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of proven Integrity. Provided, further, that the Assistant Bureau Director shall be either
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a career officer or with a relevant amount of years of competence/expertise/experience
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as manager, advocate, scholar, or practitioner in fields of endeavor related to Philippine
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culture and the arts.
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Sec. 15. Powers and Duties of Bureau Director. —The Bureau Director shall be its
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chief executive officer. He shall exercise overall authority in matters within the
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jurisdiction of the bureau, including those relating to its operations, and enforce all laws
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and regulations pertaining to it. Shall appoint personnel to all positions in his bureau or
13


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office, in accordance with law. In the case of the line bureau or office, the head shall
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also appoint the second level personnel of the regional offices, unless such power has
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been delegated. He shall have the authority to discipline employees In accordance with
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the Civil Service Law.
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ARTICLE V
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The Regional and Field Offices
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Sec. 16. Regional Offices of the Department. The Department is hereby
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authorized to establish, operate and maintain a Regional Office, whenever appropriate,
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in each of the administrative regions of the country. Each regional office shall be
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headed by a Regional Director, who may be assisted by one (1) Assistant Regional
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Director. The Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director shall be appointed by
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the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, that they shall be
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persons recognized as an accomplished manager, advocate, scholar or practitioner in
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fields of endeavor related to Philippine culture in the region, or any suitably qualified
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person in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules and regulations.
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It may also establish satellite, extension or field offices when and wherever
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necessary, particularly in locations where significant cultural and heritage properties
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and concerns are identified to exist, and to support the operations, programs and
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projects of its attached and other concerned agencies and institutions. A regional office
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shall have, within Its administrative region, the following functions:
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a) 
Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations of the
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department or agency in the regional area;
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b) 
Provide economical, efficient and effective service to the people in the
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area;
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c) 
Undertake research and gather data on local culture and arts trends and
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other relevant cultural and artistic information;
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d) 
Cause to establish and oversee the regional and local culture and arts 
councils (as far as the city and municipai level) to engage participation of 
locai artists and cuitural workers;
e) 
Create Regional Committees (RC) to expedite the implementation of plans 
and strategies for the furtherance of its objectives, which shail be 
composed of experts from various culture and arts disciplines. The rules 
and regulations of the Regional Committees shail be determined by the 
Regionai Office. The Regional Director shali sit as an ex-officio member of 
the RCs.
f) 
Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, bureaus and 
agencies in the area;
g) 
Coordinate with local government units in the area;
h) 
Make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to culture 
and arts in the region; and,
i) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
Sec. 17. Duties of a Regional Director. —The Regional Director shaii perform 
duties and functions as may be provided by law or further delegated by the head of 
agency or other proper authorities concerned.
ARTICLE VI
The Attached Agencies, Institutes, Advisory Council, Overseas Offices
Sec. 18. The Attached Agencies.
a) The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is hereby 
aboiished, and their powers and functions, appiicabie funds and 
appropriations, records, equipment, property, and personnel transferred 
to the Department for utilization in accordance with the Department's 
mandate.
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b) 
All functions in accordance with the charters, laws, or orders of the attached
agencies duplicated by this act shall be appropriately absorbed and 
assumed by the Department.
c) 
The following agencies, with the absorption of functions as stated by sub- 
paragraph b of this section, shaii accordingly perform the following 
functions and are hereby attached to the Department:
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Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
The Cuiturai Center of the Philippines shaii be in-charge of the 
administration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.
2. 
National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)
The National Museum of the Philippines shall be tasked with 
establishing, managing, and developing the National Museum Complex 
at the Rizal Park, Manila and promote the principles of universal access 
to the complex.
3. 
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) 
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines shall be tasked 
with the conduct of research, the production of materials in various 
media and the publication and dissemination of historical works, and the 
resolution of historical controversies or issues.
4. 
National Library of the Philippines (NLP)
The National Library of the Philippines shall be responsible for the 
administration of the National Library building as a repository of the 
printed and recorded cultural heritage of the country and other 
intellectual literary and other information sources, and shall also be 
responsible for the provision of access to such resources.
5. 
National Archives of the Philippines (NAP)
The National Archives of the Philippines shall be responsible for the 
maintenance and development of the National Archives building to 
house the country's archival and public records; and shall conduct 
archival researches using archival materials here and abroad and cause
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the publication and dissemination of valuabie archival information that
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are public in nature.
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6. 
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF)
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The Komisyon sa Wikang Rlipino shall be tasked with the conduct of
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research and other language studies and shall coordinate with the
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Bureau of Philippine Languages, Cultural Research, Education, and
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Dissemination for the promotion of the evolution, development,
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enrichment and eventuai standardization of Filipino and other Philippine
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Languages.
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Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)
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The Film Development Council of the Philippines shall be responsible
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with the establishment and implementation of a Cinema Evaluation
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System in accordance with the criteria set forth in RA 9167 and shall
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develop and implement an incentive and reward system for the
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producers based on merit to encourage the production of quality fiims.
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8. 
National Book Development Board (NBDB)
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The National Book Development Board shall be responsible for the
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formulation, adoption, and implementation of a National Book
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Development Plan that will serve as the basis for fostering the
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progressive growth and viability of the country's book industry.
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d) The laws and rules on government reorganization as provided for in Repubiic
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Act No. 6566, otherwise known as the Reorganization Law, shall govern
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the organization process of the Department.
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Sec. 19. Culture and Arts Advisory Councils. The National Culture and Arts
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Advisory Council shall be composed of the seventeen (17) representatives from their
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respective Regional Committees. The National Culture and Arts Advisory Council shall
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perform the following functions:
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a) Assess the general conditions of Philippine culture and the arts, and
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propose approaches, including policies and programs that may be adopted
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by the Department;
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b) 
Serve as a . forum for the discussion of matters affecting the Regional
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Committees or the cultural sector, anchored on the strengthening of
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linkages, the exchange of information, and the formulation of coherent
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guidelines and policies; and
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c) 
Initiate, formulate, and advocate a coordinated and common stand on
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significant cultural issues or concerns; and,
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d) 
Perform any other advisory function as may be deemed by the Department.
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Sec. 20. Riza! Centers. — The Department shall, through a dedicated
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organizational unit to be established for the purpose, establish and manage centers, to
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be known as Rizal Centers or Sentro Rizat, overseas, the primary purpose of which shall
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be the promotion of, and the facilitation of access by the constituency of each center to,
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Philippine culture generally as well as the cultural resources managed by the Department
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and its attached agencies in particular.
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Overseas, the Department shall establish Sentro Rizal as Philippine cultural
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centers in key places for the benefit of the global diaspora of Philippine citizens, the
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global community of Rlipino migrants or descendants thereof, and all who are Interested
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in Philippine culture. The Department for this purpose shall coordinate with the
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Department of Foreign Affairs, the Commission on Rlipinos Overseas, and other
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concerned agencies.
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Such Sentro Rizal as may be established overseas shall have a dedicated budget
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and staff under the Department and be considered as overseas offices thereof, shall
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function as repositories of Philippine cultural resources, shall carry out active programs
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and projects to engage their respective constituencies, and shall offer courses in the
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national language and any other Rlipino languages as may appropriate.
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The operations of the Sentro /?/z5/network of the Department, overseas, shall be
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considered as one its permanent flagship programs, and shall therefore be specifically
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provided for in the General Appropriations Act for every fiscal year.
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ARTICLE VII
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REORGANIZATION
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Sec. 21. Reorganization. The laws and rules on government reorganization as
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provided for in Republic Act No. 6656, otherwise known as the Reorganization Law,
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shall govern the reorganization process of the Department and, where appropriate, its
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attached agencies.
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Sec. 22. Structure and Staffing Pattern. Subject to the approval of the Department
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of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department and, where appropriate, its
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attached agencies, shall determine its organizational structure and create new divisions
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or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees of the
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Department and its attached agencies in accordance with the Civil Service Law, rules,
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and regulations.
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Sec. 23. Transition Period. The transfer of functions, assets, funds, equipment,
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properties, transactions, and personnel of affected agencies, and the formulation of the
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internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and revised budget of the
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Department, shall be completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act,
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during which time, the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts in
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holdover capacities until new appointments are issued; Provided, that after the
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abolition of the agency, the Department, in coordination with the DBM, shall determine
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and create new positions.
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Sec. 24. Separation from Service. Employees separated from the service as a
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resuit of this reorganization shall, within 6 months therefrom, if entitled thereto, receive
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the appropriate separation pay and retirement and other benefits under existing laws.
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Provided that such separation pays and retirement benefits shall have priority of
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payment out of the savings of the department or agency.
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ARTICLE VIII
PROPERTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
Sec. 25. Post Office Building and Liwasang Bonifacio. The Post Office Building, 
currently the properly of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), and the area 
known as Liwasang Bonifacio (formerly Plaza Lawton), both in the City of Manila, are 
hereby appropriated for the exclusive use and central office premises of the Department 
of Culture and its attached agencies.
Sec. 26. Other Properties. Real and movable properties owned by those agencies 
abolished or absorbed into the Department under this Act, namely the National 
Commission for Culture and the Arts Building, and the Metropolitan Theatre, shall be 
transferred to the Department for utilization in accordance with its mandate.
All other real and movable properties of the attached agencies of the Department 
acquired by virtue of their respective charters shall remain under the control and 
disposition of these attached agencies, and shall be utilized exclusively in accordance 
with their respective mandates.
ARTICLE IX
APPROPRIATIONS AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 27. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the National 
Commission for Culture and the Arts and all the functions and programs of the attached 
agencies that are herein absorbed by the Department. Thereafter, the amount needed 
for the operation and maintenance of the Department shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act.
Sec. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Office of the President, in 
consultation with other agencies mentioned in this Act, shall promulgate its 
implementing rules and government regulations within ninety (90) days after the 
effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 29. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 30. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shali be declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shail remain in 
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Sec. 31. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
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publication in at least two (2) papers of general circulation.
Approved,
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