CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) called on residents of Central Luzon to submit their arts and culture project proposals for grants implementation in 2020.

During the recent press conference held in this capital city, NCCA Arts Section Project Development Officer Niño Kristobal Selibio said application for grants on projects relative to culture and the arts is now ongoing.

"We enjoin local government units, agencies and arts organizations to take advantage of this call for submission, which is part of our mandate of administering grants through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts," he said.

He added that priority projects identified by NCCA are anchored on Chapter 7 of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and NCCA's vision of "the Filipino culture as a wellspring of national and global wellbeing.”

Selibio disclosed that Central Luzon received 9 project grants worth P2.5-million in 2018 and 16 grants worth P4.1-million in 2019.

For 2020, Selibio said that a PhP5-million budget is allotted for each of the 19 national committees clustered into four sub-commissions.

"Aside from groups and organizations, individuals are also encouraged to avail the grants, especially on filmmaking and research or publication," he said.

He added that only one project proposal must be submitted per proponent to give equal chances to others.

"There will be three levels of evaluation for the proposals. For those who want to seek assistance in crafting their proposals, they may coordinate with the officer in charge of the committee where they want to apply or they may visit our office in Manila," Selibio said.

Project proposals must be submitted to the Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division Room 5-B, 5th floor, NCCA Building, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila on or before July 31.

For inquiries and other details, interested proponents may visit their website at www.ncca.gov.ph.