PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law earmarking funds for five national performing arts companies as part of the government's efforts to support the training and development of the performing arts.
Republic Act (RA) 11392, inked by Duterte on August 22, designates one national firm each for ballet or contemporary dance, theater, orchestra, choral company, and indigenous performing ensemble.
Each national performing arts company for the five genres will serve for five years, according to the law.
The law creates a 15-man selection committee that will screen qualified national performing arts firms and choose one each for ballet or contemporary dance; theater; orchestra; choral company; and indigenous performing ensemble.
Under RA 11392, the National Ballet or Contemporary Dance Company, the National Theater Company, and the National Orchestra will receive P10 million yearly for five years.
Around P5 million each will be given to the National Choral Company and the National Indigenous Performing Ensemble annually for five years.
'Such amounts to be appropriated for the National Performing Arts Companies may be subject to adjustments once every five years after the effectivity of this act," the law reads.
Each national performing arts company is tasked to undertake a continuing program of training and education for the professional development of performing artists, directors, designers, managers, and other artists particular to its performing arts field.
It should also conduct research, present regular annual performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) or other venues, develop a repertoire of original Filipino works, and promote a standard of artistic excellence.
It is also directed to conduct national outreach and exchange program, international outreach program, and continuing audience development program.
Each firm is also required to maintain a viable and sustainable performing arts organization and help set a standard for effective and efficient performing arts management.
The five national performing arts companies are entitled to free and equitable use of government facilities and cultural venues; grants for research, documentations, productions, workshops, training and audience development programs; and intellectual property rights to their work.
The selection committee is also tasked to select an additional 15 or three from each of the next most qualified applicants of the national performing arts companies.
The next most qualified applicants, as beneficiaries of a separate subsidy program, will get P1 million each a year, renewable upon evaluation, for performance, research, documentation and commissioned work.
The CCP and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) are directed to execute the necessary memorandum of agreement with stakeholders.
Any donation, contribution, bequest and grant that will be used "actually, directly, and exclusively" for the National Performing Arts Companies will be exempt from donor's tax, the law said.
The CCP, in consultation with the NCCA, is tasked to formulate implementing rules and regulations.
Palace released a copy of RA 11392 on Wednesday, August 28. (SunStar Philippines)