Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

17TH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6967

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish a cultural center in every administrative region in the country.
Section 18 (1), Article XIV of the Constitution states:

“The State shall ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the
educational system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants and
other incentives, and community cultural centers, and other public venues.”

Republic Act No. 7356, otherwise known as the “Law Creating the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts” was passed into law to develop and promote the Filipino national culture,
preserve and conserve the Filipino historical and cultural heritage and to encourage artistic creation
within a climate of artistic freedom. Under Republic Act No. 7356, the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts was created to serve as the presidential inter-agency commission to coordinate
cultural policies and programs. It ensures the decentralization of opportunities for creative
expression through the establishment of local culture and art centers in various regions, with
resources needed for artistic cultural activities. Hence, the Cultural Center of the Philippines is
among the cultural agencies attached to the NCCA. It is the national center for both performing
and non-performing arts.

Our country is rich in history and cultural heritage. Development and progress is reflected
through our values and culture. Our cultural heritage and ethnicity of local communities should be
protected, preserved and promoted. The best way to showcase the people’s artistic expression is to
provide a proper venue for the arts, but there are limited venues for cultural exhibition.

Establishing a cultural center in every administrative region in the country will serve as a
venue to promote culture and arts and exhibit the local performing and non-performing arts. It will
be a perfect place to showcase the region’s history, values, tradition and identity. These cultural
centers will help immortalize the local history, and will serve as venues for the present and future
works of art in every administrative region in the country.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO, Ph. D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17TH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._6967

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO, Ph. D.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CULTURAL CENTER IN EVERY ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
IN THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress of the Philippines
assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment. — There shall be established, under the supervision of
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, a cultural center in every administrative
region in the country.

SEC. 2. Site Selection. — The Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, shall
choose the site of the cultural center in every administrative region in the country.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged to the current appropriations for the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts, Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continuous operation and
maintenance of the cultural centers in every administrative region in the country shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,