Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1876

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Laws have been passed recognizing certain performing groups as the country’s official. An example
would be RA8626 which declared the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company as The Philippines
National Folk Dance Company. Indeed, the people's recognition of the performing group's
achievements, through an act of Congress, is the highest honor to be bestowed upon them.

However, these pieces of legislations virtually exclude those who might want to be on the same
position. Worse, separate laws might be needed to recognize other groups who have shown effort and
brought pride to the country.

In order to prevent Congress from passing pieces of legislation that recognize performing groups
‘every now and then, this measure proposes the creation of a panel of experts tasked to evaluate groups
that may be declared as follows:

‘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.

Also, the panel is mandated to review and re-assess the groups regularly to ensure that they are
continuously exerting their best in their field.

More than the entitlements, the responsibilities of these performing groups are stipulated in this
measure.

This bill is the substitute bill of HB 4260 which has been discussed thoroughly in the Committee on

Basic Education and Culture in the 15" Congress.
MEL S ARMIENTO

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Approval of this bill is eamestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1876

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Rep. Mel Senen S, Sarmiento

AN ACT DESIGNATING PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS
COMPANIES, DEFINING THEIR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

Be_it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
m

Congr

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:

‘© One (1) national ballecontemporary 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:

(@) Undertake a continuing program of training and education for the professional
development of performing artists, teachers, directors, designers, performing arts
managers and other artists particular to its performing arts field;

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(6) 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;

(©) 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 development 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,

Section 5. Selection Process — A fifteen (15) member panel of experts in the performing arts
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 performing arts, shall elect a
Chairperson from among themselves. The Selection Committee shall be tasked to draw up the
rules and guidelines for the selection process of the Performing Arts Companies.

The Selection Committee is mandated to conduct a re-assessment of the performance of the
Performing Arts Companies every five (5) years.

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 applications shall be assessed by the
Secretariat based on a pre-selection criteria stated in the rules and guidelines set by
the Committee,

(©) Qualified applications shall move to the second soreening 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
© One (1) qualified applicant for ballet and contemporary dance;
+ One (1) qualified applicant for choral music;
* One (1) qualified applicant for orchestral musi
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 forms,
for 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,

Section 6. Criteria for Selection — The tia set by the Selection Committee shall be

based on the following:

(a) Itis 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 arti
excellence, manifested in the quality of its performances, artists, 1
programs and other activities

(© 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 crities alike

(@) It has maintained a professional track record of regular and continuing set of
activities in pursuit of its mission; and

(©) 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 ballet/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
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 National Commission on Culture and the Arts;


(©) Intellectual Property Rights — The National Performing Arts Companies shall be
entitled to the protection of their work, including music, choreographs, and other
artistic creations. Likewise, they shall enjoy the right to public performance, fixation,
and distribution of fixations as well as authorizing fixations, reproduction of fixations
and distribution

Section 8. 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 (NCA) shall execute the necessary arrangements in accordance with existing laws,
rules and regulations.

Section 9. Appropriation of Funds ~ The following amounts shall be appropriated for each
of the National Performing Arts Companies:

Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) a year for the National Ballet/Contemporary Company,
National Theater Company and the National Orchestra for a period of five (5) years;

Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) 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.

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) a year, renewable upon evaluation, for performance,
research, documentation and commissioned work.

Section 10. Donations and Solicitations ~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 10. 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 11. Repealing Clause — All laws, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 12, Effeetivity — This Act shall take effect upon approval.

Approved.