HB07757: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS, ITS COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND MANDATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
This bill seeks to strengthen and empower the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) by enhancing its mandate, powers, and functions, and reorganizing it to be more responsive to the evolving cultural landscape. It declares a comprehensive state policy to preserve and enrich Filipino national culture, recognizing its role as a unifying, humanizing, and modernizing instrument for society, and a fundamental right of every citizen. The bill also emphasizes the importance of cultural education, protecting indigenous and Moro cultural communities, and promoting the national language while respecting linguistic diversity.
The proposed NCCA will serve as the overall policy and plan formulator, coordinator, implementing, and grants-giving agency for the preservation, safeguarding, conservation, regulation, management, development, and promotion of Philippine culture, natural heritage, and creative arts. It outlines specific mandates such as developing indigenous cultures, conserving historical heritage, promoting Filipino artistic expressions, supporting creative arts industries, and upholding the welfare and intellectual property rights of artists and cultural workers . This legislation aims to rationalize government support for the cultural sector, ensure that culture is integrated into national policies, and consolidate existing cultural funds into a single National Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts to better serve Filipino artists and cultural endeavors.