10 senators back creation of Department of Culture

At least 10 senators are pushing to reorganize the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) into an independent Department of Culture.

Sen. Francis Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, sponsored Senate Bill 1528 or the "Department of Culture Act" which is now on second reading.

Sens. Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva and Miguel Zubiri co-authored the bill.

"The passage of this bill will further nurture and preserve our Filipino heritage by enhancing the agency's mandate and giving it more authority in implementing the programs that will promote the importance of the Philippine arts and culture," Escudero said.

The proposed Department of Culture would be mandated to "promote and develop the country's cultural traditions."

Under the proposed measure, the following agencies will be attached to the department: Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Museum of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, National Archives of the Philippines, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee, Nayong Filipino Foundation, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Book Development Board, and Design Center of the Philippines.