SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B. No. 1200
J
o f  t h e ^ i - r r r f ; i r i
'16 
OCT 11 
P 6 : 1 8
K i  
■ 
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Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
DESIGNATING PHILIPPINE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANIES, DEFINING 
THEIR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Explanatory Note
In every community, its culture serves as the canvass where peoples’ creative 
skills are projected and their intellectual achievement are imprinted. Sections 14 and 
15 under Article XIV of the Constitution enshrined this policy: “[t]he State shall foster 
the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture 
based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual 
expression” and “conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and 
cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.”
Accordingly, the National Center for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural 
Center of the Philippines were established to preserve and enrich Philippine arts and 
culture. These centers were built not only as a venue to showcase the talents and 
culture of the Philippines but also, through their programs and projects, to support 
the artistic and cultural growth of Filipino artists.
The role of the performing arts in a society must not be overlooked as it 
preserves and showcases the Filipino culture, heritage, and identity. In the process, 
it educates not only Filipinos but also other nations as performing arts companies 
serve as our cultural ambassadors during performances abroad.


One program that helps promote Philippine arts and culture is the National 
Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA) administered by the National 
Center for Culture and the Arts. Given the creativity of the Filipinos, there are a 
number of projects that may receive such financial aid through the NEFCA. Its 
resources, however, are deemed insufficient to further develop the performing arts.
Thus, this bill, which was initially filed during the 16th Congress, designates 
several groups as Philippine Performing Arts Companies to recognize their 
contribution to the preservation of the country’s arts and culture. Moreover, to allow 
them to better fulfill their role, this bill also provides them with the needed financial 
assistance.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 2QQ
*16 QCTll P6:18
RK( K
BY;
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
DESIGNATING PHILIPPINE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANIES, DEFINING 
THEIR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Performing 
Arts Companies Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration o f 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.
SEC. 3. Designation as the Philippine Performing Arts Company. -  The
following groups are hereby declared as the Philippine Performing Arts Companies 
for a period of five (5) years:


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a. One (1) Philippine orchestra;
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b. One (1) Philippine ballet and contemporary dance;
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c. One (1) Philippine theater company;
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d. One (1) Philippine choral company
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Other groups, aside from those enumerated above, may be designated as a
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Philippine Performing Arts Company upon the recommendation of the Selection
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Committee to be constituted pursuant to this Act and the approval by the National
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Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Board of Commissions and the Cultural
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Center of the Philippines (CCP) Board of Trustees.
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SEC. 4. Roles and Functions. -  Each of the performing arts companies shall
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undertake the following roles and functions upon designation as a Philippine
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Performing Arts Company:
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a. Undertake a continuing program of training and education for the
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professional development of performing artists, teachers, directors,
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designers, performing arts managers and other artists particular to its
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performing arts field;
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b. Conduct research (on its particular performing arts form) and undertake
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documentation of its activities and programs for the preservation and
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dissemination of Filipino masterpieces in the performing arts;
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c. Organize and present a regular annual season of performances at the
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CCP and other venues in the country;
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d. Develop and build a repertoire of original Filipino works that will help
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define our national cultural identity;
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e. Maintain and promote a standard of artistic excellence in its field that will
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help elevate the performing arts in the Philippines;
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f. 
Conduct a national outreach and exchange program of performances,
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workshops and seminars for the development and promotion of the
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performing arts in the regions;
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g. Undertake an international outreach program as Philippine cultural
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ambassadors and perform during state functions for visiting dignitaries;


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h. Conduct a continuing audience development program and help promote 
greater awareness and appreciation of the performing arts among the 
public;
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Maintain a viable and sustainable performing arts organization and help 
set a standard for effective and efficient performing arts management; and,
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Submit an annual report of accomplishments to the CCP and the NCCA.
SEC. 5. Selection Process. -  A fifteen (15) member panel of experts in the 
performing arts will be designated by the NCCA and CCP to comprise the Selection 
Committee for the Philippine Performing Arts Companies. The Committee, which will 
be composed of experts knowledgeable in the artistic and technical aspects of the 
performing arts, shall have three (3) representatives each from the CCP, NCCA, the 
performing arts sector, academe, and critics from the media. They shall elect a 
Chairperson from among its members. The members of the Selection Committee 
shall receive appropriate remuneration from the CCP.
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:
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 application 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;


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d. The Selection Committee shall select the qualified Performing Arts 
Companies which shall consist of:
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One (1) qualified applicant for orchestra;
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One (1) qualified applicant for ballet and contemporary dance;
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One (1) qualified applicant for theater;
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One (1) qualified applicant for choral; and,
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Such other groups as may be designated in the future
The Selection Committee shall choose the most qualified from each of the 
aforementioned performing arts form which shall be qualified for subsidy under Sec. 
10, par. 1 and an additional twelve (12), or three (3) from each of the next most 
qualified applicants, for a separate subsidy program under Sec. 10, par. 3 of this Act.
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 Philippine Performing Arts Companies shall take place every 
five (5) years. Performing arts companies which have been previously declared 
Philippine Performing Arts Companies may re-apply for the succeeding selection 
processes.
SEC. 6. Criteria for Seiection. -  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;
c. It is world class, having represented the country in numerous touring 
engagements, festivals, competitions and international events and having 
been acclaimed by foreign organizations, audiences and critics alike;


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d. It has maintained a professional track record of regular and continuing set 
of activities in pursuit of its mission; and
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.
SEC. 7. Entitlements. -  Each of the Philippine Performing Arts Companies 
shall be entitled to the following:
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Equal Use of Government Facilities for Free - Philippine Performing Arts 
Companies shall be entitled to equal use of government facilities and 
cultural venues, specifically but not limited to the CCP, Tanghalang 
Balagtas 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 NCCA.
SEC. 8. Evaluation Process. -  The Philippine Performing Arts Companies 
shall be evaluated annually by the Selection Committee and shall be given feedback 
on the annual assessment.
SEC. 9. Memorandum of Agreement. -  Within 30 days upon effectivity of 
this Act, the CCP and the NCCA shall execute the necessary arrangements in 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 10. Appropriation of Funds. -  The following amounts shall be 
appropriated for each of the Philippine Performing Arts Companies;
a. Twelve Million Pesos (P 12,000,000.00) annually for the Philippine 
Orchestra for a period of five (5) years ;
b. Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) annually for the Philippine Ballet and 
Contemporary Dance Company for a period of five (5) years;


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c. Eight Million Pesos (P8,000,000.00) annually for the Philippine Theater 
Company for a period of five (5) years;
d. Five Million Pesos (P5.000,000.00) annually for the Philippine Choral 
Company for a period of five (5) years.
Upon effectivity hereof, 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 from the savings 
of CCP. 
Thereafter, 
such amount, 
and sums necessary to sustain the 
implementation of this Act, shall be sourced from the General Appropriations Act as 
a line item budget under the CCP, subject to adjustment every five (5) years as may 
be necessary.
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 (P1,000,000.00), annually, renewable 
upon evaluation, for performance, research, documentation and commissioned work.
SEC. 11. Donations and Solicitations. -  The Philippine 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 
Philippine Performing Arts Companies from their unimpaired surplus at their 
discretion.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. -  If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 
invalidate or impact any other part of this Act.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. -  Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, 
rules or regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly.


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SEC. 14. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved,