Press Release
August 1, 2009

Threatened by cultural and economic homogeneity
ANGARA EMPHASIZED IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urges government to strengthen the importance of history in order for the Philippines to achieve its cultural, economic and political potential fully.

"It is imperative that we remember the past that brought us together as a nation. At the cusp of the age of globalization, cultural and economic homogeneity threatens those who do not remember their common ideals and triumph of their legacy." said Angara.

Senate Bill 3313 emphasizes the importance of initiating and implementing programs relevant to historical research and popularization of history. It seeks to revise the charter of the National Historical Institute (NHI) to ensure that the agency continues to achieve its obligation to make history relevant, popular and a dynamic source of inspiration.

Streamlining and creation of new offices will be done and to adapt to contemporary development their mandate and powers will be clarified to strengthen its resources, expand the scope of beneficiaries and to clarify its role in relation to other cultural agencies.

He added "we should tap government agencies along with educational institutions and strengthen our efforts towards promoting our history. We should look into mechanisms that we can provide such as administrative regulations, subsidies, support in order to create a conducive environment for the popularization and promotion of RP's historical and cultural heritage."

Prioritization on history will build stronger sense of nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes and pride. All these will be reinforced by the importance of Philippine national and local history through the support of government that will sustain the programs for the protection, preservation and conservation of historical artifacts, sites and resources.

The establishment of NHI through the Presidential Decree No.1 of 1972 will be changed to National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and will be responsible for all undertakings related to Philippine history as well as the implementation of disseminating programs.

"Without a unifying past, the people will be relegated to thinking like disconnected tribes"- Sen. Angara.

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