Republic of the Philippines f
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Sixteenth Congress
‘Third Regular Session

House Bit No.__6404

Introduced by Honorable Evelina G. Escudero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 118 creating
the Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts. In 1992, Republic Act No. 7356, also
known as the “Law Creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts” was enacted,
thus, establishing the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) which was
mandated, among others, to formulate and implement policies for the development of Filipino
national culture and arts, coordinate cultural policies and programs, and encourage artistic
creation within a climate of artistic freedom.

‘The NCAA is governed by a Commission composed of fifteen (15) members which
include three (3) representatives from the private sector, namely: the heads of the Sub-
commission on Cultural Heritage, the Sub-commission on the Arts and the Sub-commission
on Cultural Dissemination. The Sub-commission on the Arts covers the Committees on
Architecture and Allied Arts, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, Broadcast Arts,
Musical Arts, Dance and Film. Among others, the Sub-commission on the Arts is
responsible for the recognition of artistic achievement through awards, grants and services to
artists and cultural groups which contribute significantly to the cultural legacy of the
Filipinos. It also promotes the interests and welfare of artists and cultural workers by
protecting their rights to intellectual and artistic properties as well as those of associations
that promote and protect the economic and moral rights of artists all over the country. It is
best to consider, therefore, that the head of the Sub-commission on the Arts is a distinguished
National Artist.

This measure aims to include a National Artist as member of the Commission and as
head of the Sub-commission on the Arts. As a member of the Commission, a person
conferred with the rank and title of National Artist will be able to provide the necessary
mindset in promoting Philippine arts and culture.

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

ELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Sixteenth Congress
‘Third Regular Session

6404

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Evelina G. Escudero

AN ACT
INCLUDING A NATIONAL ARTIST AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO.7356, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LAW CREATING THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS”

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

SECTION 1: Section 9, paragraph (m) of Republic Act No. 7356, otherwise known

as the “Law Creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts” is hereby amended

to read as follow:

“SEC. 9. Composition. — The Commission shall be composed of the
following members:

a) xxx

sax xxx var

m) three (3)representatives from the private sector who shall be the
elected heads of the of the three (3) sub-commissions identified hereunder,
namely: the Sub-commission on Cultural Heritage, the Sub-commission on
the Arts and the Sub-commission on Cultural Dissemination. They shall be
elected by the chairpersons of the national committees under their respective
sub-commissions EXCEPT FOR THE HEAD OF THE SUBCOMMISSION

FOR THE ARTS WHO MUST BE A NATIONAL ARTIST AND


APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTISTS.

The chairman of the Commission shall be elected by the members
from among themselves
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,