A cultural center and museum will soon rise in Kalinga as President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed Republic Act 11770 calling for its establishment.
The center shall be a collaboration between the provincial government of Kalinga and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and other concerned affiliated agencies and private sector groups.
“It shall serve as the institutional medium for the protection, preservation, presentation and promotion of the cultural, artistic, archeological, social, historical, religious and philosophical heritage of the Kalinga land and its people in view of the richness of their legacies and of their relevance to their contemporary and future aspirations,” the law stated.
It added the Kalinga cultural center and museum shall compile musical notes and lyrics of the province’s traditional songs, ballads and contemporary music compositions. It shall also collect samples of musical instruments of Kalinga origin, design, and creation.
It shall also publish and disseminate Kalinga literary works, epics, stories, and historical accounts; compile literature, film or audio-visual recordings of cultural performances in music, dance, oral literature, and festival celebration; and gather and document religious practices and traditions, and the background and origin of Kalinga fiestas and festivals.
The center shall gather specimens of archaeological findings, collect stones, rocks, and other geological materials, and preserve by appropriate methods the samples of flora and fauna indigenous to the province.
The establishment shall also conduct performances on Kalinga music, dances, arts, literary works, epics, stories, historical accounts and legends and carry out any other relevant and appropriate activities.
The provincial government shall provide the necessary land area for the construction of the center and museum.
The funding for the implementation of the act shall be charged on the current year’s budget of the NCCA. After which, the funding for the center would be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The law originated from Lower House after Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang filed a bill for such purpose in 2020.
Along with the establishment of the Kalinga cultural center and museum, Duterte also signed RA 11771 or An Act Establishing the Cagayan de Oro City Cultural Center and Museum in Misamis Oriental; and RA 11772 or An Act Establishing the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum. – Ofelia C. Empian
