A measure aiming to grant cash incentives plus other non-monetary benefits to filmmakers, literary writers and performing artists who have won formal international acclaim has moved forward in the House of Representatives.
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, a proponent of the measure, said that a technical working group (TWG) has been formed by the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts to consolidate three bills for this purpose.
Villafuerte said the TWG has been tasked to create a substitute bill combining the provisions ofHouse Bill (HB) No.1281, or the Creative Philippines Act; HB No.4540, or An Act protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino artists, providing benefits and for other purposes; and HB No.1934, or The Artists’ Incentives Act.
In particular, HB No.1934 proposes a tax-free cash award of P500,000 to P1 million to Filipino creative artists who have won top awards in international film festivals or award-giving institutions. Villafuerte is one of four authors of the bill.
“The international awards bestowed upon the works of our Filipino artists call for appropriate government acknowledgement,” said the veteran solon, who is president of the National Unity Party (NUP).
“We need to grant cash incentives to Filipinos in the creative industry who have received recognition and honor in prestigious and notable competitions abroad. With this measure, our artists will surely be encouraged to engage in various forms of arts to represent the country and further hone their skills and craft in the various arts,” he added.
HB No.1281 was authored by Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Christopher de Venecia, who chairs special committee; while HB No.4540 was introduced by Quezon City 5th Rep. PM Vargas.
In HB No.1934, the authors said their proposed cash incentives for award-winning artists supports the state policy in the 1987 Constitution to "give priority to education, science and technology, arts, and culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development".
Moreover, they said, the Constitution provides that "Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.”
The bill was filed by Villafuerte, Camarines Sur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte (5th district) and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata (1st district), and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Nicolas Enciso VIII.