Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Filipino culture is a rich and colorful mixture of several other
cultures that evolved throughout time. Due to the geographical characteristics
of our country, every locality is unique and filled with its own cultural gems
that are waiting to be appreciated.
It is said that harnessing culture is a very powerful move. By learning
and respecting local culture, indigenous conditions, and other distinctive
characteristics that we have, we can create an environment and economy that
is responsive to the needs of the people. By enriching and taking care of local
culture and indigenous knowledge, we can create more sustainable and
inclusive economies.
Thus, this representation believes that awareness and knowledge about
every locale’s culture must be placed in the forefront of national policy.
Through this legislation, every locality will have not only its cultural roots, but
also its history, officially recorded and disseminated to the public. A nationwide
campaign, which include public educational institutions as its main target
audience, will also be held to bring more attention to local culture. Lastly,
national support for cultural events like festivals, fairs and others will be
established through this bill. It is hoped that with all the foregoing solutions,
we can create a more culturally-conscious generation who value and strive to
further improve our heritage.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist
September 19, 2022
4:24 pm
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT PROVIDING NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE GROWTH OF LOCAL
CULTURE AND HISTORY
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 “Kayamanan sa
Kultura at Kasaysayan Act.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to give
priority to culture and history. Hence, the State shall endeavor to support
programs, projects, and activities that promote the rich Filipino culture and
history not only for tourists but also for locals. The ultimate goal shall be to
instill and enrich the positive points of our culture and history and to
acknowledge and encourage the growth of Filipino culture.
SECTION 3. Local Culture and History Officer for Every Province. – Every
province shall have a Provincial Culture and History Officer who shall receive a
salary equivalent to Salary Grade (SG) 19. The Provincial Culture and History
Officer shall:
a) Gather the local historical and cultural accounts for each city and
municipality of their province;
b) Create a detailed account of the province’s unique historical and
cultural background;
c) Publish the collated historical and cultural accounts and disseminate
copies to every the National Library, and to all public school and state
universities and colleges in the province free of charge, and make
such other copies available for public consumption;
d) Submit to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) a copy
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of
the
historical
and
cultural
accounts
of
all
the
cities
and
municipalities within their province’s jurisdiction;
e) Lead
the
organization
and
implementation
of
plans
for
official
festivals, trade fairs, cultural events, and other similar events or
activities that are meaningful and will promote their local history and
culture; and
f)
Organize and conduct regular cultural enrichment and appreciation
activities within their locality.
The NCCA as the lead agency for this endeavor, shall, in partnership
with the NHCP, create a comprehensive set of guidelines for the contents of the
detailed
cultural
and historical account within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act.
The Provincial History and Culture Officer shall be appointed by the head
of the LGU within six (6) months from the completion of the guidelines
aforementioned, subject to CSC Rules and Regulations.
The appointed officers shall thereafter submit the detailed cultural and
historical account to the NCCA and NHCP within one (1) year from their
appointment as such. This initial submission shall be used by the NCCA and
NHCP for its provincial culture and history campaign provided in Section 6
hereof.
SECTION 4. Funding for Official Festivals, Trade Fairs, Cultural Events,
and Other Similar Events Promoting the Local Culture and History. – There shall
be a National Cultural Enrichment Fund (NCEF) in such amount as may be
deemed necessary by the agencies called to implement this act. The NCEF shall
be included in the yearly General Appropriations Act and shall only be used to
provide support funding for official festivals, trade fairs and cultural events,
and other similar events promoting the local culture and history.
The NCCA shall manage the NCEF, and release the necessary amounts to
the local government unit (LGU) after the submission of the official request for
funding and other relevant documents and its approval by the NCCA.
If the lead event organizer is a private entity whose services have been
contracted by the LGU, the LGU shall issue a certification to such effect and
the certification shall be attached to the request for support funding filed
jointly by the LGU and the private entity, and closely monitor the disbursement
of the fund; Provided, that the LGU shall submit to the NCCA a report on how
the fund was used within sixty (60) days after the festival, trade fair, cultural
event, or other similar events.
SECTION 5. Provincial Culture and History Campaign. – The NCCA, in
coordination with the DOT shall launch a provincial culture and history


campaign to raise better awareness about the rich culture of every province
among residents of the said province and those from other provinces. The
NCCA shall also include public schools and state universities and colleges
(SUCs) as their target audience for the campaign.
SECTION 6. Annual Cultural or Historical Event. – Every provincial LGU
shall have at least one (1) cultural or historical event that will showcase the
unique culture and history of their locality. This event shall qualify under those
which
may
obtain
national
funding
support
upon
compliance
with
the
application requirements laid out by the NCCA.
SECTION 7. Appropriations. – Such amount as may be necessary for the
initial implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be drawn from this
year’s appropriation for the NCCA. Thereafter, the necessary appropriations for
the implementation of this law shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,