The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chaired by Pasig Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo approved Monday the substitute bill to House Bill (HB) 10144 which seeks to strengthen the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language worldwide through the Sentro Rizal initiative.
“It is time for Filipino culture to take center stage in the global landscape,” Rep. Christopher De Venecia, principal author of HB 10144, said after thanking the committee for its approval of the measure.
He added, “We are proposing now for a reform of the Sentro Rizal to be more outward looking as well not just catering to the Filipino diaspora but to the 4 to 5 billion people around the world, so that they will come, acknowledge, respect, and celebrate Filipino culture.”
Sentro Rizal is a repository of materials on Philippine arts, culture and language, located in Philippine embassies around the world. Materials may be in the form of books, digital discs, films, magazines, artworks, among others. It may also host cultural programs and activities for Filipinos abroad, to promote appreciation and understanding of Philippine culture and the arts.
Director Angela Alfara of the Department of Foreign Affairs estimated that P50 million is needed to operate the Sentro Rizal in Vietnam, while P67 million is needed another one in Cambodia. Given the budgetary requirements, the substitute bill will be subject to the reviewed of the committee on appropriations.
The intent behind the grant of incentives mentioned in the bill was clarified during the deliberations, with De Venecia explaining that the aim is to give rewards to top performing Sentro Rizals, “This will be akin to the DOT (Department of Tourism) Champions Challenge Program or the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) Lungsod Lunsad Program.”
The panel also approved HB 2588, which would convert the People's Park and Public Library in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur into the First District Congressional Library to be known as the Senator Alauya Alonto Congressional Library; HB 9960, establishing a Congressional District Library in the City of Bacoor, Cavite to be known as the Julian Balmaseda Public Library; and HB 10165 establishing a modern library in the First Congressional District of Caloocan City.
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