Avisado encourages Filipinos to look into the arts for inspiration during time of pandemic
By DBM
MANILA, Feb 8 — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado acknowledges that culture, arts, and religion form an integral part of our identity as Filipinos. Through the support of the national government, the DBM has reinforced this by ensuring that the culture and arts sector receives appropriate support and budget even in times of the pandemic.
“Kahit man sa gitna ng pandemya, iniisip pa rin ng pamahalaan natin ang recreation, ang kultura, ang sining, ang religion, kaya nga meron ho tayong programa sa ilalalim ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Education, National History Commission of the Philippines at iba pa. At dito po meron tayong nakalaang na kabuuang P4.6B para sa mga programa at proyekto sa recreation, culture, and religion,” he said.
Under then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and now Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City flourished as a place of diverse beliefs, cultures and traditions. Avisado believes that promoting the appreciation of culture and the arts became an effective tool in creating harmony and peaceful co-existence among its different peoples.
“Ang Davao city po ay known as a melting pot of 11 tribes and the harmonious relationship among the tri-peoples—Christians, Muslims, and the indigenous people. These are being celebrated on two occasions, particularly, Araw ng Davao tsaka Kadayawan festival. Pero kahit wala itong mga festival sa ngayon, ang mga Dabawenyo ay nagkakasundo pa rin,” he explained.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, every part of society has been severely affected, the sector of culture and the arts included. To ensure that it continues to thrive, Avisado said numerous programs and activities that promote the culture and the arts are included in the FY 2021 national budget.
According to the budget chief, a total of P4.64 billion from the national budget has been apportioned for the culture and the arts, which is broken down as follows: recreational and supporting services – P1.30 billion; cultural services – P2.06 billion; broadcasting and publishing services – P656.89 million; religious and community services – P523.86 million; research and development for recreation, culture and religion – P20.93 million; and activities for recreation, culture, and religion – P77.79 million.
“Malaki po din ang 4.64 billion. Ito ay sa kabila ng pandemya. Sabi nga natin, the whole of government approach is needed – anything and everything, that could benefit the people. Hindi lang sa area ng kalusugan… Makakaasa po ang sektor ng sining at kultura ng patuloy na suporta ng ating pamahalaan. Lalo pa sa panahon ngayon ng ating Pangulong Duterte,” he said.
Apart from this, the government also provided cash assistance to cultural workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic through the National Commission for Culture and Arts. This budget is derived from the National Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts, as allowed by the national government through the DBM. According to Avisado, all of these efforts demonstrate the importance that the Duterte Administration puts into the sector of culture and the arts.
“Hindi pwedeng kaligtaan yan. At ang ating pamahalaan ay patuloy na sumusuporta sa mga programang nagsusulong sa sining at kultura sa ating bansa. Kailangan natin ito hindi lang upang patuloy na maibahagi natin ang galing ng ating mga kababayan na nasa sining at kultura kundi dito din nakaangkla ang ating kasaysayan at pagkakilanlan bilang mga Pilipino,” he explained. (DBM)
