Creation of the Baguio City culture and arts council mulled

October 29, 2017 Opinion Sideglance

In response to the request by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the putting up of local councils for culture and the arts nationwide City Councilor Lilia Fariñas has filed a proposed ordinance that would create and establish the Baguio City Culture and the Arts Council and thereby facilitate access to financial and technical assistance from the said commission.

As explained by Councilor Fariñas in her proposal announcements were made by NCCA Executive Director Rico Pableo Jr. during the celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), held at the Wangal Sports Complex in La Trinidad, that the creation of local councils for the culture and the arts will be one of the criteria in judging local government units for the coveted Seal of Good Governance this year and that the establishment of such councils will augment efforts to inculcate in the minds of the youth the value of culture and arts and for them to appreciate the richness of their own culture and heritage. As well, according to Councilor Fariñas the putting up of local councils will help local government units in the documentation of their culture and heritage that will serve as reference for present and future generations.

Councilor Fariñas also added by way of further explanation in her proposed ordinance that the putting up of local councils for culture and the arts will help the national government complete the local registry of cultural properties that will aid decision makers in deciding what to preserve and protect by either marking the same as historical landmarks, historical sites and/or national treasures.

Under the said proposed measure the soon to be created local Baguio City Culture and the Arts Council shall function, among others, “(a) to help advance efforts of concerned government agencies and local governments for the sustainable preservation and protection of the rich culture, heritage, arts and traditions of Baguio City and its people; (b) to be able to qualify and comply with the criteria of local governments for the coveted Seal of Good Local Governance in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG); and (c) to be able for the city to have access in both financial and technical assistance that the NCCA has to offer”.

The said council to be created shall be composed of the City Mayor as the Chairman and the following members: (a) representative from the NCCA, (b) a representative from the DILG, (c) The Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds, (d) the chairperson of the Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research, (e) a representative from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), (f) a representative from the City Administrator’s Office (CAO), and (g) representatives from other concerned or interested offices and/or agencies.

The proposed legislative measure is scheduled to be tackled by the August Body in its next regular session on First Reading and referral to the proper committee for study and recommendation.