Mandatory Appointment of Culture and Arts Officer

Senais Office of the Beretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR -9 P4:32 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ 1953 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER IN ALL PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 EXPLANATORY NOTE Culture constitutes the foundation of national identity, social cohesion, and sustainable development. It reflects the totality of a people's values, traditions, and creative expressions that define their way of life. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in its 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, defines culture as "the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, that encompasses, not only art and literature but lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions, and beliefs." Creativity, likewise, pertains to a range of human activities resulting in products that embody technical proficiency, conceptual depth, and emotional expression. These two-culture and creativity-constitute vital elements in fostering inclusive, progressive, and resilient communities. The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to "conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources." This constitutional principle is further operationalized through Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which underscores the

responsibility of local government units (LGUs) to promote the general welfare, including the "preservation and enrichment of culture," as stated under Section 16, also known as the General Welfare Clause. Furthermore, Sections 447(a)(5)(v), 458(a)(5)(v), and 468(a)(5)(v) of the same Code empower the respective sanggunian of municipalities, cities, and provinces to establish local councils for culture and the arts and to allocate funds for their support and development. These provisions collectively affirm that the preservation and advancement of culture form part of the fundamental duties of local governance. Despite these legal mandates, the implementation of cultural programs at the local level remains fragmented. While many LGUs have created Local Culture and Arts Councils (LCACs), a significant number are non-functional or limited in scope due to the absence of permanent personnel to manage their operations. Without a dedicated secretariat or technical staff, the LCACs often lack continuity, institutional memory, and professional oversight. The absence of a permanent Culture and Arts Officer has resulted in inconsistent cultural governance, limited coordination with national cultural agencies, and missed opportunities to integrate culture into local development planning. The proposed measure mandating the appointment of a Culture and Arts Officer in every province, city, and municipality seeks to institutionalize cultural governance at the local level. The establishment of a permanent position within the LGU's organizational structure ensures that cultural programs and policies are implemented consistently, professionally, and in alignment with national priorities. The officer shall act as the CAC's secretariat and serve as the focal person in formulating, coordinating, and executing the LGU's plans and programs related to culture, arts, and creativity. This reform directly responds to the call of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 to mainstream culture across all development sectors-recognizing culture as a catalyst for economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. It is likewise consistent with the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (PDP-CA), adopted through Memorandum Circular No. 74, s. 2024, which mandates the alignment of local cultural initiatives with the national strategic framework. Among the PDP-CA's legislative priorities is the

establishment of Culture and Arts Officers in LGUs to institutionalize culture-based governance. The recent enactment of Republic Act No. 11961, amending the National Cultural Heritage Act, also reinforces the necessity of this measure. The law requires all LGUs to conduct cultural mapping of tangible and intangible heritage within their jurisdictions. The management, utilization, and preservation of the resulting cultural data and profiles require the expertise of trained cultural workers. Without a designated officer, these responsibilities risk remaining unfulfilled, thereby undermining the intent of the law. Similarly, Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, highlights the role of LGUs in advancing creative industries as engines of inclusive economic growth. The effective implementation of these laws hinges on the presence of capable local officers who can liaise with national agencies, manage cultural resources, and oversee creative initiatives. At the global level, the value of culture to development is widely recognized. UNESCO'S Culture/2030 Indicators framework reports that cultural and creative industries contribute more than three percent of global gross domestic product and provide employment to nearly thirty million people worldwide. Beyond their economic contribution, these sectors promote social inclusion, education, and community vitality. Strengthening local cultural governance through the establishment of Culture and Arts Officers thus aligns the Philippines with international development frameworks that regard culture as a cornerstone of sustainable growth. It must likewise be underscored that culture and tourism, while interrelated, are distinct. Tourism generates economic activity through visitor engagement, whereas culture sustains the authenticity, meaning, and heritage that make destinations valuable. For tourism to remain sustainable, it must be grounded in the preservation and enhancement of cultural prestige. A Culture and Arts Officer ensures that local tourism initiatives uphold cultural integrity, prevent the commodification of heritage, and promote genuine community participation.

The creation of a mandatory Culture and Arts Officer position in all provinces, cities, and municipalities therefore fulfills both constitutional and statutory obligations. It provides a permanent mechanism through which LGUs can institutionalize culture-based governance, ensure compliance with national policies, and strengthen coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other national cultural agencies. More importantly, it guarantees that the preservation and enrichment of culture, explicitly recognized in law as an aspect of the general welfare, are afforded the administrative and professional attention they require. For these reasons, the passage of this measure is both timely and necessary. It will institutionalize the role of culture and the arts in local governance, enhance the implementation of existing cultural and creative industry laws, and ensure that every LGU possesses the technical and organizational capacity to safeguard, promote, and develop the cultural heritage and creative potential of its people. By doing so, it affirms culture as a vital instrument for nation-building and as an enduring pillar of Philippine development. In view of the foregoing, the immediate consideration and passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Offier of thr Searchary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAR -9 P4:32 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1953 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER IN ALL PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 443, Book III, Title Two, Chapter 2 of Republic Act

2 No.7160, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 443. Officials of the Municipal Government. - (a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal vice-mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the sangguniang bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a municipal accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal planning and development coordinator, a municipal engineer/ building official, a municipal health officer, and a municipal civil registrar. A municipal cooperatives development officer (CDO) shall also be appointed: Provided, That the

municipality has the option to appoint a full-fledged CDO or merge related such position to an existing position or official in an office, unit or department in the municipal government: Provided, further, That if the municipality shall appoint a full-fledged CDO, the municipality has the option to set the rank, remuneration and other emoluments of the municipal CDO subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. A MUNICIPAL CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER (MCAO) SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE MCAO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. "(b)xxx "(c) xxx "(d)xxx "(e)xxx."

Sec. 2. Section 454, Book III, Title Three, Chapter 2 of Republic Act No. 7160,

17 is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 454. Officials of the City Government. - (a) There shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and development coordinator, a city engineer, a city health officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development officer, and a city general services officer. A city CDO shall also be appointed: Provided, That the city has the option to appoint a full fledged CDO or merge such position to an existing position or official in a related office, unit or department in the city government: Provided, further, That if the city shall appoint a full-fledged CDO, the city has the option to set the

rank, remuneration and other emoluments of the city CDO subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; A CITY CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER (CCAO) SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE CITY HAS THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE CAO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. "(b)xxx "(c)xxx "(d)xxx "(e)xxx."

Sec. 3. Section 463, Book III, Title Four, Chapter 2 of Republic Act No.7160, is

13 hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 463. Officials of the Provincial Government. — (a) There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, a secretary to the sangguniang panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial assessor, a provincial accountant, a provincial engineer, a provincial budget officer, a provincial planning and development coordinator, a provincial legal officer, a provincial administrator, a provincial health officer, a provincial social welfare and development officer, a provincial general services officer, a provincial agriculturist, and a provincial veterinarian. A provincial CDO shall also be appointed: Provided, That the province, in the appointment of a full fledged CDO shall set the rank, remuneration and other emoluments of the provincial CDO subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. A PROVINCIAL CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER (PCAO) SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE PROVINCE HAS

THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE PCAO, SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. "(b)xxx "(c)xxx "(d)xxx "(e)xxx."

Sec. 4. A new Article shall be inserted in Book III Title V of Republic Act No.

9 7160 to read as follows: ARTICLE XXI THE CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER

SECTION 491. QUALIFICATIONS, POWER AND DUTIES. -

(A) NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER UNLESS HE OR SHE IS THE CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, A RESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED, OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, AND A HOLDER OF A COLLEGE DEGREE WITH SPECIAL TRAINING IN AREAS OF CULTURE, HERITAGE, HISTORY, AND THE ARTS OR RELATED COURSE FROM A RECOGNIZED COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OR TRAINING INSTITUTION. HE OR SHE MUST HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE PROVINCIAL OR CITY CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER, AND THREE (3) YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE MUNICIPAL CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER. THE APPOINTMENT OF A CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER SHALL BE MANDATORY FOR PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL

GOVERNMENTS. (B) THE CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (1) TAKE CHARGE OF THE CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICE, SUPERVISE THE PERSONNEL AND STAFF OF SAID OFFICE, FORMULATE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES AND RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SAID OFFICE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN ORDER TO ASSIST HIM OR HER IN THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF CULTURE, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GEARED TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF CULTURE-RELATED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) AND ITS AFFILIATED NATIONAL CULTURAL AGENCIES; (2) FORMULATE MEASURES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE SANGGUNIAN AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN CARRYING OUT CULTURE AND THE ARTS ACTIVITIES; (3) DEVELOP PLANS AND STRATEGIES AND UPON APPROVAL THEREOF BY THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IMPLEMENT THE SAME, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH CULTURE AND THE ARTS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WHICH THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR IS EMPOWERED TO IMPLEMENT AND WHICH THE SANGGUNIAN IS EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE FOR UNDER THIS CODE;

(4) IN ADDITION TO THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, THE CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICER SHALL: (i) LEAD IN ENSURING THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF COMPREHENSIVE CULTURAL MAPPING, ENSURING THE UTILIZATION OF THE LOCAL CULTURE PROFILE, IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH THE CONCERNED AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATION; (ii) LEAD IN THE FORMULATION, UPDATING, AND MONITORING OF IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN INCLUDING POLICY FORMULATION AND EVALUATION THAT WILL BE MAINSTREAMED TO DIFFERENT SECTORAL PLANS AND BE INTEGRATED IN THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS; (iii) SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL SECRETARY OF THE LOCAL CULTURE AND ARTS COUNCIL; (iv) REVIEW PROJECT PROPOSALS RELATIVE TO CULTURE AND THE ARTS PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION INITIATIVES; CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS AND POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIPS AND CONVERGENCE IN THE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION; (v) COORDINATE WITH CONCERNED OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND ORGANIZATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE CULTURAL HERITAGE, GROWTH, AND CONSERVATION; CULTURAL DISSEMINATION (vi) DEVELOP CAMPAIGNS, CONDUCT RESEARCH, ORGANIZE SPECIAL EVENTS AND IMPLEMENT SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE LOCALITY'S HERITAGE; AND (vii) IN THE CASE OF PROVINCIAL CULTURE AND ARTS

OFFICER, EXERCISE GENERAL SUPERVISION OVER CULTURE AND ARTS OFFICERS OF COMPONENT CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, IN COORDINATION WITH THE NCCA AND ITS AFFILIATED CULTURAL AGENCIES. The succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the

7 promulgation of this act, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), s in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall promulgate the rules 9 and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

11 regulations, memorandum circulars, or issuances, inconsistent with the provisions of 12 this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be

14 held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 15 remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

17 full publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 18 circulation. Approved,