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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENAT·E 
S, B, No.2170 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
.§el1Zlh 
(l~H,;. "I tI" ,$,n't"'~ 
'14 MAR 11 P3:47 
AN ACT DESIGNATING PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS 
COMPANIES, DEFINING THEIRROLES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Performing art is important not only in its process, product, words, rhythm, 
but also as a way to bring catharsis, social change, and democracy. A thriving sector 
in Philippine performing arts not only drives empowerment,it also inspires and 
improves the nation. 
The government has acknowledged the significance of the performing arts to 
the country's cultural heritage. By virtue of Republic Act No. 8626, the Bayanihan 
Philippine Dance Company has been cited as the Philippines National Folk Dance 
Company. 
As arts and culture aspire to strengthen communities, remove social barriers, 
and engage citizens, it is vital that the government supports not just one particular 
group but several qualified arts groups and organizations. 
The Philippine National Performing Art Companies Act of 2013 will give 
recognition to various performing arts groups in diverse fields such as ballet, 
contemporary dance, orchestral music, choral music and theatre. This bill proposes 
to declare one national ballet/contemporary dance company; national choral 
ensemble; national orchestra, national theater group as a Philippine National 
Performing Arts Company for a period of five years. They will have government 
support to showcase their works at the Cultu~al Center of the Philippines and other 
venues. These works must be original and add to the nation's cultural identity. To 
nurture performing arts, the selected groups will receive government funding, have 
access to grants, and be allowed to use government facilities. 


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The country needs to invest in Filipino talent in order to build national 
identity. For this reason, the passage of this bill is urgently sought. 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE. 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
~l'nZl1r 
'Olf.;. ul til' £o.rtPbr~ 
First Regular Session 
) 
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'14 I1ARl1 P3:47 
SENf\J'll 
S.No. ~170 
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA 
lU:CEiVEI> HY:~f'-
AN ACT DESIGNATING PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS 
COMPANIES, DEFINING THEIR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled 
Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the Philippine National Performing 
Arts Companies Act of 2013. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy - Pursuant to Article II, Section 17 and 23, and Art 
XIV, Sections 14, 15 and 18 (2) of the Philippine Constitution, it is hereby declared 
the policy of the State to appropriately recognize, designate and support non-
government organizations that have demonstrated pioneering, long consistent and 
unassailable competence, effectiveness and success in the development, training, 
documentation and performance of ballet and contemporary dance, orchestral 
music, choral music, and theater. 
Section 3. Designation as the Philippine National Performing Arts Company - The 
following groups are hereby declared Philippine National Performing Arts 
Companies for a period of five (5) years: 
• One (1) national ballet/contemporary dance company; 
• One (1) national choral ensemble; 
• One (1) national orchestra; 
• One (1) national theater group. 
Section 4. Roles and Functions - Each of the performing arts companies shall 
undertake the following roles and functions upon designation as a National 
Performing Arts Company: 
(a) Undertake a continuing program of training and education for the 
professional development of performing artists, teachers, directors, designers, 


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performing arts managers and other artists particular to its performing arts 
field; 
(b) Conduct research (on its particular performing arts form) and undertake 
documentation of its activities and programs for the preservation and of 
dissemination of Filipino masterpieces in the performing arts; 
(c) Organize and present a regular annual season of performances at the 
Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues in the country; 
(d) Develop and build a repertoire of original Filipino works that will help 
define our national cultural identity; 
(e) Maintain and promote a standard of artistic excellence in its field that will 
help elevate the performing arts in the Philippines; 
(f) Conduct a national outreach and exchange program of performances, 
workshops and ,seminars for the deyelopment and promotion of the 
performing arts in the regions; 
(g) 
Undertake an international outreach program as Philippine cultural 
ambassadors and perform during state functions for visiting dignitaries; 
(h) Conduct a continuing audience development program and help promote 
greater awareness and appreciation of the performing arts among the public; 
(i) 
Maintain a viable and sustainable performing arts organization and help 
set a standard for effective and efficient performing arts management. 
G) Submit an annual report of accomplishments to the Cultural Center of the 
Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. 
Section 5. 
Selection Process - A fifteen (15) member panel of experts in the 
performing arts will be designated by the National Commission for Culture and the 
Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to comprise the 
Selection Committee for the National Performing Arts Companies. The Committee, 
which will be composed of experts knowledgeable in the artistic and technical 
aspects of the p.erforming arts, shall have three (3) representatives each from the 
Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 
the dance sector, academe, and critics from the media. They shall elect a Chairperson 
from among themselves. The members of the Selection Committee shall receive 
appropriate remuneration from the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 
The Selection Committee shall be tasked to draw up the rules and guidelines for the 
selection process of the Performing Arts Companies. 
The selection process shall constitute the following procedure: 
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(a) A call for applications to different performing arts companies shall be 
undertaken based on rules and guidelines set by the Selection Committee. 
(b) A first screening shall take place wherein applications shall be assessed by 
the Secretariat based on a pre-selection criteria stated in the rules and 
guidelines set by the Committee .. 
(c) Qualified applications shall move to the second screening wherein the 
Selection Committee shall further evaluate the applications based on the 
criteria set. 
(d) 
The Selection Committee shall select the qualified Performing Arts 
Companies which shall consist of: 
• One (1) qualified applicant for ballet and contemporary dance; 
• One (1) qualified applicant for choral music; 
• One (1) qualified applicant for orchestral music; 
• One (1) qualified applicant for theater. 
The Selection Committee shall then choose an additional twelve (12), or three (3) 
from each of the next most qualified applicants from each of the aforementioned 
performing arts ~orms, f()r a separate subsidy program. 
The results of the final selection shall be jointly ratified by the NCCA Board of 
Commissioners and the CCP Board of Trustees. 
The selection of National Performing Arts Companies shall take place every five (5) 
years. Performing arts companies which have been previously declared National 
Performing Arts Companies may re-apply for the succeeding selection processes. 
Section 6. Criteria for Selection - The criteria set by the Selection Committee shall 
be based on the following: 
(a) It is national in scope, as it tackles and presents the arts, culture, traditions, 
issues and concerns of the nation, drawing the best talents from all over 
the country and contributing to the development of a national cultural 
consciousness. 
(b) It is the best in its field in the country, maintaining the highest standards 
of artistic excellence, manifested in the quality of its performances, artists, 
training programs and other activities, 
(e) It is world class, having represented the country in numerous touring 
engagements, festivals, competitions and international events and having 
been acclaimed by fmeign'organizations, audiences and critics alike 
(d) It has maintained a professional track record of regular and continuing set 
of activities in pursuit of its mission; and 
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(e) It is able to maintain a viable and sustainable organization to support its 
programs. The company should have the capability to match the allocated 
annual subsidy from the government. 
Section 7. Entitlements - Each of the National Performing Arts Companies, namely: 
a' national balleV contemporary dance company,· a national choral ensemble, a 
national orchestra and a national theater group, shall be entitled to the following: 
(a) Equal Use of Government Facilities for Free - The National Performing 
Arts Companies shall be entitled to equal use of government facilities and 
cultural venues, specifically but not limited to the Cultural Center of the 
Philippines, the Tanghalang ~alagtas and other government venues devoted 
to cultural and artistic performances without fee; 
(b) Access to Grants - They shall be entitled to project grants for research, 
documentation, productions, workshops, training and audience development 
programs from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts; 
Section 8. Evaluation Process - The National Performing Arts Companies shall be 
evaluated annually by the Selection Committee and shall be given feedback on the 
annual assessment. 
Section 9. Memorandum of Agreement - Within 30 days upon effectivity of this 
Act, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for 
Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall execute the necessary arrangements in 
accordance with existing laws, 
rules and regulations. 
Section 9 10. 
Appropriation of Funds -
The following amounts shall be 
appropriated for each of the National Performing Arts Companies: 
Twelve Million Pesos (P12,OOO,OOO.OO) a year for the National Orchestra for a period 
of five (5) years; 
Ten Million Pesos (p10,OOO,OOO.OO) a year for the National Ballet/Contmeporary 
Dance Company for a period of five (5) years; 
Eight Million Pesos (P8,OOO,OOO.OO) a year fo; the National Theater Company for a 
period of five (5) years; 
Five Million Pesos (P5,OOO,OOO.OO) a year for the National Choral Company for a 
period of five (5) years. 
The abovementioned amounts shall be appropriated for each of the national 
performing arts companies to support the roles and functions stated in Section 4 of 
this Act for the first year of its implementation. Thereafter, such amount, and sums 
necessary to sustain the implementation of this Act, shall be sourced from the 
General Appropriations Act. 
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A maximum of twelve (12), or maximum of three (3) from each of the next most 
qualified applicants from each of the performing arts forms mentioned, shall be 
entitled to a subsidy of One Million Pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO.OO) a year, renewable upon 
evaluation, for performance, research, documentation and commissioned work. 
Section 11. Donations and Solicitations 
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The National Performing Arts 
Companies may also solicit and receive donations, endowments which shall be 
exempted from income or gift taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by 
the government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof. 
Government Corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the National 
Performing Arts Companies from their unimpaired surplus at their discretion. 
Section 12. Separability Clause - If for any reason, any part of the provision of this 
Act declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 13. Repealing Clause - All laws, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed Of amended accordingly. 
Section 14. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect upon approval. 
Approved. 
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