Republic of the Philippines
ouse of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manils

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7138

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS:

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS, TOURISM
AND HERITAGE COUNCILS IN EVERY PROVINCE OF THE COUNTRY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish Culture, Arts, Tourism and Heritage Councils
in every province of the country.

The Western thinker George Santayana wrote that nations who never
learn from the lessons of the past are bound to repeat its mistakes. Art,
heritage, and traditions reflects the culture of a country. Language, cuisine,
music, handicrafts, museums, and literature surround the general public and
shape the shared identity of Filipinos.

While the National Commission on Culture and the Arts was created
primarily for the purpose of developing, enhancing, and institutionalizing arts
and culture programs in the country, it is limited by organizational nature- an
agency based in the country’s capital with no bureaucratic network to expand
its programs, projects and activities up to the grassroots level. Hence, at best,
it could only enter into memoranda of agreement with local government units
to fund particular program or project with arts and culture component.
Animating the citizenry with the love and passion for their culture, arts,
tourism and heritage should be a responsibility of the local government units
at the provincial and city level with the support of national agencies like the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Museum, the
National Historic Commission of the Philippines and the private sector.


While a number of local government units have taken the initiative of
organizing arts, culture, tourism and heritage council, a vast number of our
provinces which have rich untapped arts, culture and heritage wealth are not
moving that consigning to the dustbins of history what should have been
preserved, enhanced and developed for the next generation to enjoy.

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

FRED Vi ‘AS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatines
Quezon Gify, Afeteo Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, “138

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS, TOURISM
AND HERITAGE COUNCILS IN EVERY PROVINCE OF THE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Culture, Arts,
Tourism, and Heritage Councils in Every Province Act”

SECTION 2. Creation of Culture, Arts, Tourism, and Heritage Councils. —
There is hereby created, in every province in the country, a Culture, Arts,
Tourism, and Heritage Council that shall undertake culture, arts, tourism and
heritage preservation, enhancement and development.

SECTION 3. Funding. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) shall assist in the creation of these councils and provide for its initial
funding. The DILG shall, in coordination with relevant culture, arts, tourism
and heritage agencies actively promote the creation of these councils.

The subsequent allocation for the operationalization of these councils shall be
borne by their respective local government units.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Interior and


Local Government with representatives from the Local Government Units, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be
declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All general and special laws, decrees,
executive orders, proclamation and administrative regulation, or any parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,