The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has declared National Artist Ang Kiukok's "Men At Work" as National Cultural Treasure and Important Cultural Property as a tribute to the Filipino workforce.
In a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 2, the NCCA said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) filed a petition to declare the "Men At Work" painting as an Important Cultural Property last April 2021.
In line with the Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act, the NCCA called for a public notice to invite opposition or support the TESDA petition.
The Commission also referred the petition to members of its national committees including the National Committee on Visual Arts, National Committee on Museums, and National Committee on Art Galleries with members across the country from the private and public sector.
It likewise requested for the position of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and to the Taguig City Government on the petition.
"The NMP physically assessed the painting and interposed no objection to the petition noting that the painting clearly meets the criteria of an Important Cultural Property. In addition, NMP recommended considering the artwork to be declared as National Cultural Treasure," the NCCA said.
Under RA 10066, National Cultural Treasure is defined as cultural properties possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation.
"The painting was inspected and assessed as well in TESDA by a panel of experts. Based on their assessment, the painting may be observed as a tribute to Filipino workers. The panel of experts recommended as well for the artwork to be declared as National Cultural Treasure," the Commission added.
Ang Kiukok's "Men at Work" is a commissioned work for National Manpower and Youth Commission (NMYC) in 1979 and is currently displayed at the entrance wall of the TESDA Auditorium.
It is a three-panel painting that symbolizes the strength of the Filipino working men and emphasizes the significance of TESDA’s mandate of providing relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower.