LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, – The province is strengthening its local culture and arts council (LCAC) for a more efficient promotion of cultural heritage and conservation.
Called Benguet Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Council (BPTCAC) which was reconstituted in 2014, it will expand membership and functions.
The establishment the LCAC is in consonance with the national government’s legislative agenda to promote Philippine culture and values under Chapter 7 of the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan. It is now also a criterion in the assessment of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).
The 2017 Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular 2017-53 requires any two of the essential areas of tourism, culture and the arts, cultural heritage promotion and conservation such as the presence of a council for the promotion of culture and the arts, budget appropriation and cultural property inventory updated within the last two years.
The SGLG, which gives incentives to local governments, aims to improve government service delivery by fostering openness and participation and improve the capacity of local governments.
The BPTCAC’s existing members are the committee chair on Culture and the Arts, Local Cultural Officer, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, representative of the local tourism council, and the Philippine Information Agency.
The expanded membership include the local Budget Officer, representatives of the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, local Historical/Heritage Society or any sectarian organization, local museums, local artist groups, business sector or Chamber of Commerce, professional sector, academe, youth sector, Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Communities present in the area, and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.
Among the expanded functions of the council are: prepare an annual plan in consonance with the Philippine Development Plan for culture and arts; formulate programs and recommendations; coordinate with appropriate affiliated cultural agencies; conduct cultural events, ensure protection, preservation, conservation and promotion of the local cultural and historical heritage, declare and maintain local heritage zones, establish a local registry of cultural property; acknowledge importance of traditional folk artist; revitalize a community’s artistic tradition; provide mechanisms of qualified traditional artists for transfer of skills; and popularize such artists’ works locally.
BPTCAC Chairman, Board Member Robert Namoro, aid he will incorporate the expanded functions of the council in the proposed Tourism Code he authored which is expected to be passed soon.
Acting Head of the Provincial Tourism Operations Office Eleazar Carias said their office which is the support arm of tourism, culture and arts said the expansion of membership although it is a big task ahead is a welcome move as it aims to strengthen the protection and promotion of local cultural heritage. **By Susan C. Aro
