Department of culture and art councils

CULTURE is recognized as essential component of formulating policies and designing of development interventions. I attended the first quarter meeting of the Committee of Indigenous Peoples Concerns (CIPC) of the Regional Development Council as a representative of my office and one of the agenda that got me particularly interested is the creation of art councils in local government units. I knew that the creation of local culture and arts councils in cities and municipalities was an old bill an I am glad that the new leadership of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts is pushing for its implementation. During said meeting, representatives of NCCA discussed what the act is all about and also asked CIPC to support the bill being proposed in Congress creating Department of Culture which will likewise create regional offices that serves as the local NCCA in the region. NCIP Dir. Roland Calde raised the matter to the committee which unanimously approved for endorsement to the RDC enbanc. Also tackled during the meeting was an

orientation of regional stakeholders in the implementation of Philippine Indigenous People’s Ethnographies where members of the academe and local historians can help document Cordillera’s wide baseline information about the various ethno-linguistic groups and sub tribes. My Bago cultural alliance according to the NCIP Director is classified among the sub groupings of the major upland tribe. Since my father’s clan belongs to the Kankanays of the old Mountain Province district that are now part of Ilocos Sur and presumably the early natives who embraced lowland life and Religion too, perhaps there is truth to the notion of some that we are the “bagong Kristyano” that eventually referred to as Bago.

In the discussion, the NCCA official said that culture is now part of the National Development Plan. It enourages us to help in the socio-economic goals. It further promotes Filipino identity that can be nortured for our common good. In CAR, we need to heighten cultural awareness and appreciation through educational means like the School of Living Traditions (SLT) and the creation of Local Culture and Arts Council.

Perhaps with Baguio as unesco designated creative city and NCCA supporting local culture and arts, Baguio can also serve as model LGU in as far as arts and culture is concerned.

The CIPC unanimously endorsed said bill hoping that Cordillera leaders will likewise support it when tackled in the house of congress.

In their presentation on cultural collaborations, building partnerships and promoting Philippine culture and values, Jeremy Chan and Mark dela Cruz of NCCA discussed priority areas that includes safeguarding and enshrining our cultural heritage, sustaining and enhancing cultural assets to foster creativity and innovations for socio-economic growth.

With the establishment of a Department of Culture, convening of art councils in local gov- ernment units and involvement of local artists groups, culture and historical custodians, I can already visualize a smooth road leading towards creative economy.

As of this writing using my smartphone, I am in Davao attending the National Information Convention which brought communicators and government advocates to Mindanao for a history in the making in as far as government communication is concerned.

With my participation as a delegate representing my office and the Association of Government Information Officers-Cordillera, I hope to enrich my views and perspectives taking into account the very purpose why we are here. With topics like, “Malasakit, pagbabago at patuloy na pag-unlad, Empowering Communities” etc., we hope to be part of an exercise that lifts up the country and rise above trending fake news. direction, there is really nothing to fear”.

As proven in many societies, volunteerism is an expression of love and service for the community and the people. It spreads awareness and inspires a culture of concern and care for the community. That is why they say that volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, “but because they are very much priceless”.

-o0oDue to some unforeseen conflict of schedule by the PIA-CAR office, the Strawberry Festival Kapihan which was planned on Feb. 21 is moved to another schedule which is yet to be decided by the SF Execomm as of this writing. The other ‘Kapihan” (Coffee Fest), however, will of course push through on Feb. 27-28, 2018. “Inya ngay mangyari ita, padli?”asked a friend in facebook. “Mayka makikape, isu lang maiawis mi…” I would grin. The activity will also center on the coffee growers who will organize themselves for the La Trinidad Coffee Council. Even without hearing the message of support from La Trinidad’s partner line-agencies, we can find comfort in their active participation during our meetings to promote coffee in our town through the said event. From the DA’s support to the coffee farmers, DTI’s assistance into turning coffee into marketable goods, and the DOT’s encompassing role in promoting coffee as a tourism product – the coffee festival holds great promise…perhaps better when celebrated in December ?.