ANGARA RENEWS SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

In light of the holiday season, Senator Edgardo Angara has renewed his support for cultural institutions, asserting the need to continue "investing in the preservation of our heritage."

According to Senator Angara, the holiday season reflects the rich culture and heritage of Filipinos.

"Only in the Philippines can you find colorful and creative lanterns, the delicious bibingka and the culture of a strong family bond. These, and many more, affirm the Filipino's ingenuity and rich values," said Senator Angara.

"These should be preserved and fostered for our future generations to enjoy and further develop," he said.

As such, Senator Angara has renewed his support for cultural institutions in the country, particularly in increasing their budget for next year.

In particular, the senator and Chair of the Senate Subcommittee C on Finance allotted extra budget for the following cultural institutions: the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Institute (NHI), the National Museum and the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP).

Senator Angara increased the budget of the NCCA by a total of Php11 million. Php10 million of this will augment the NCCA's budget to provide assistance in the design and training of staff and providing cultural and educational material in foreign countries.

The remaining Php1 million will be used to acquire and conserve the Maranao Torogan, an architectural heritage which used to be the meeting place when the Maranao Sultan calls for conferences.

According to Senator Angara, "it is high time we start preserving our cultural and historical heritage, as it seems to be something many of us take for granted, something we let fade through time. Many of our irreplaceable historical and national treasures either lay in shambles or are subject to constant neglect."

Senator Angara increased the National Museum's budget by Php28.4 million. Twenty Million pesos of this increase will augment the museum's operations in researching, acquiring and maintaining national artifacts.

The remaining Php8.4 million will go to training provincial museum curators.

"We should train our provincial museum curators to foster our cultural heritage in the province. This would also promote culture as a key driver in our tourism industry," said Senator Angara.

"The most successful tourist destinations - countries like Italy, Spain and France - capitalize on their history, culture and natural beauty," said Senator Angara.

Senator Angara has also funded the maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation and servicing of archival records and documents, increasing the National Archives of the Philippines's budget by Php10 million.

"The Philippines has many Spanish colonial documents that Spanish scholars visit to research on. These documents may soon perish because they are not properly stored."

The Senator is also asking the Spanish government to help digitize these colonial documents and provide its modern translation.

Senator Angara has also allotted an additional Php10 million pesos to the National Historical Institute for the celebration of the Philippine Spanish Friendship Day, of which the senator is instrumental in establishing.

A patron of culture and the arts, Senator Angara authored the legislation that created the NCCA and has long been an advocate of promoting cultural tourism in the country.