National cultural agencies seek more funding for 2023

The government agencies at the forefront of preservation of the country’s history and culture on Wednesday asked a Senate panel for more funding for 2023.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance, National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Rene Escalante asked for an additional P33 million for the agency’s budget.

“In our presentation, we mentioned some figures, and just to focus on the summary, for the internal use of the Commission, we are proposing additional funding of a total of P33 million,” Escalante said.

Escalante said the NCCA needs more manpower and space as some regulatory functions of the National Museum of the Philippines were transferred to it.

He said the additional budget is also needed for the restoration of some heritage sites that were damaged during the July earthquake in Abra.

"Finally, we were also requested to respond to the July 27 earthquake that hit Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. So we will also have proposals on how to contribute to the restoration of the heritage affected by that strong earthquake,” he said.

According to Escalante, the budget will also be used for the Metropolitan Theatre and the implementation of some laws.

Under the proposed 2023 budget, NCCA will get P25 million.

Historical Commission

Meanwhile, Escalante said more budget was also needed for projects of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines  (NHCP), which was given new appropriations of P212 million.

He urged the prioritization of P20 million for the refurbishing and furnishing of NHCP offices.

“Ngayon po… kapag hindi po ito napondohan, matitiwangwang po kami na hindi tapos and apektado po ‘yung aming operations. That’s why we’re really pleading na ma-prioritize ito para matapos ‘yung sarili naming bahay,” he said.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who presided over the hearing, questioned the lack of funding for the second portion of the project .

She said she will bring this up to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) if there is no reason behind the rejection.

“My team will take note of that kasi kung walang reason na ma-reject, we’ll bring this up to DBM to find out bakit na-reject. The reason na napakaliit naman ng hinihingi niyo. Parang pang-bintana pa lang yang ng ibang opisina,” Cayetano said.

Meanwhile, Escalante proposed the restoration and development of the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, the restoration of the Mabini Shrine, and the construction of the Lapu-Lapu Memorial Shrine.

“Just for us to have our presence in the southern part of the Philippines because most of our museums are in Luzon. So just to spread out the presence of the Commission,” he said.

“And this is also our response to the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men in the Battle of Mactan,” he added.

National Library

For his part, National Library of the Philippines (NLP) director Cesar Adriano said there was a 10% decrease between its proposed budget of around P187 million and the P167 million appropriations for 2023 submitted by the Budget department to Congress.

Adriano said they will face some challenges if the budget is not approved as there is a need for better conservation and preservation programs.

Meanwhile, he said the agency seeks to make available the collections at the NLP at all times.

“Nilalabas lang ‘yung mga collection natin tuwing anniversary ng National Library… ang gusto po natin open siya sa public araw-araw para ma-appreciate naman ng mga kababayan natin,” he said.

Adriano said they are also seeking the establishment of a children’s library, the development of a conservation laboratory, fire suppression and alarm system, among others.

However, when asked, Adriano said he did not propose these projects.

National Archives

Meanwhile, National Archives of the Philippines executive director Victorino Manalo asked the Senate for help in the restoration of the Intendencia Building.

“Ang malaking magiging hiling po namin ‘yung pag-restore nung amin… ito ‘yung aming headquarters. ‘Yung Intendencia Building in Intramuros,” he said.

“When we complete this, we will finally join the rest of ASEAN kasi tayo lang ang archives na walang sariling headquarters. For the longest time kami ay kinupkop ng National Library,” he said.

The National Archives will get P164 million under the proposed 2023 budget.

Commission on Filipino Language

Commission on the Filipino Language commissioner Arthur Casanova, meanwhile, said its 2023 new appropriations of P70 million was lower by P8 million from the 2022 General Appropriations Act budget.

Casanova asked for an additional P22.7 million.

“Makikita sa chart na iyo ang saliksik pangwika… mga kumprehensiya at pagsasanay ng pangwika… diksyonaryong Bikol-Filipino at diksyonaryo ng Wikang Pilipino mobile application… aklatang balmaseda para sa 2023… KWD satellite office… Filipino Sign Language,” he said.

Cultural Center

Meanwhile, Cultural Center of the Philippines president Margie Moran asked for more budget for the transfer of its offices while the CCP building is undergoing rehabilitation.

She also proposed the construction of the Liwasang Amphitheater, among others.

The 2023 budget for the CCP is at P356 million.

National Museum

National Museum director-general Jeremy Barns, meanwhile asked for more budget for expenses for supplies and materials, travel, general services, repair and maintenance, training, and communication as well as other maintenance and operating expenses

He also sought augmentation for taxes and insurance.

Barns said the National Museum is requesting an additional P1.1 billion.

“The bottom line is, we’re requesting P1.185 billion on top of our NEP,” he said.

The proposed budget of the National Museum under NEP is P444 million.

The Senate committee approved the budget of the agencies and recommended these to the plenary, subject to submission of documents and possible questions.—LDF, GMA News