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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF TNE REPUl3LIC ) 
OF THEPHILPPINES 
1 
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First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. If 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Arts and letter shall enjoy the patronage of the State 
historical and cultwal heritage and resources, 
as well as artistic creations. ’’ 
The State shall consewe, promote, and popularize the nation’s 
-Art.XIV, Sec. 15 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution 
The Filipinos are known for their artistic creativity. In the whole world, the 
Philippines is acknowledge as a country of excellent crooners, actors of bravado and a 
haven of prolific writers and brilliant painters and sculptors. 
Vicente Manansala. Cesar Legaspi. Jose Joya. Lucrecia Kasilag. Lino Brocka. 
Nick Joaquin. Nicanor Abelardo. Atang dela Rama. Lambert0 Avellana. Ang Kiukok. 
Lucio San Pedro. Levi Celerio. Eddie Romero. 
All distinguished Filipinos known for 
genuine artistry and craftmanship contributing greatly to the nation’s rich cultural 
heritage. 
The National Artist Award (Gmad Artista ng Bayan) is bestowed to outstanding 
Filipinos who influenced with their arts our way of living. 
It is an award which 
recogniz‘s -pure God-given talents impressing the essence of Filipino nationhood. An 
award for those whose works and masterpieces breathe life and serve as a panorama of 
distinctive Filipino society. 
This bill seeks to make it a policy not to make any distinction as regards the 
awarding of cash prizes to winners. All Artista ng Bayan, whether living or cited 
posthumously, shall receive an equivalent cash prize. This is significant considering that 
most artists die poor because of their devotion and loyalty to their arts. And this, as a 
fitting tribute to Filipino genius and masters, the grant of each prizes to them. 
Immediate cognizance of this legislation is earnestly sought, 


;.i . 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
a *  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
[j& JJ.,j 
30 
I I.‘?‘) 
It. ““’ 
.L3 
First Regular Session 
) 
~~ 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING CASH PRIZES AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO ALL NATIONAL 
ARTISTS OR “ARTISTA NG BAYAN” AWARDEES, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
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.
 
in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. All National Artists or “Artista ng Bayan” awardees, including 
those awarded with posthumous recognition, shall be given cash prizes as determined and 
fixed from time to time and as deemed necessary by the award governing body. 
The family or beneficiary of the posthumous awards shall be entitled to the cash 
prizes provided in this Act, in addition to the other prizes which include presidential 
medallion or other recognition awarded and accorded to the winners: Provided, That the 
term “family” or “beneficiary” as used in this Act shall refer to the surviving legal 
spouse and his legitimate children, or parents, or brothers and sisters, in that order: 
Provided, hrther, That the grant of cash prizes under this Act shall have retroactive 
application. 
SEC. 2. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby 
authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriation Act. 
SEC. 3. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with 
any proBsion of t& Act are hereby repealed or modified, superseded or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days aRer its complete publication 
in the Official Gazette, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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