SECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines extes
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. - uae

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’€/Delos Santos
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7459

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;

©) 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;


ounwne

10
11
2
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

BREE

46

d) submit to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) a copy
of the historical and cultural accounts of all the cities and
municipalities within their province’s jurisdiction;

¢) 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 from the National Government 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
the amount of fifty million pesos (PhP 50,000,000.00) every year. The NCEF 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 handle the NCEF, and release the necessary amounts to
the local government unit (LGU) after submission of the official request for
funding and other relevant documents and its approval by the NCA; Provided,
that 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 further, 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 event.


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. - The sum of seventy five million pesos (PhP
75,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to the NCCA for the initial
implementation of the provisions of this Act. LGUs shall likewise be allowed to
include in their budget the amounts required to implement the provisions of this
‘Act. 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,