Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 208)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 208 is to grant certain privileges and honors to National Artists in recognition of their contributions to the cultural heritage of the Philippines, and to encourage excellence in the arts and letters. It also creates a special fund to support these privileges.
Privileges include a cash award of P10,000 upon conferment, a life pension of P2,000 per month, medical and hospitalization benefits, a lifetime insurance policy coverage of P50,000, a place of honor at state functions, and a State funeral at government expense upon death.
The cash award is ten thousand pesos (P10,000).
National Artists receive a life pension of two thousand pesos (P2,000) payable monthly.
Yes, National Artists are entitled to medical and hospitalization benefits.
They are covered by a lifetime insurance policy amounting to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) by the Government Service Insurance System and/or private insurance companies, with the premiums paid by the government or donations.
The National Artist must remain a citizen of the Philippines to retain the award and privileges.
The National Artists Awards Committee, composed of members of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, supervises the disbursement of funds.
Yes, a Special Account is created with an initial appropriation of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos from the National Treasury, to be replenished annually as necessary.
Yes, disbursements from the Special Account are subject to audit by the Commission on Audit, and reports must be submitted every six months to the Office of the President.
The National Artists Awards Committee may authorize travel expenses for National Artists to and from places where their works are officially exhibited for the benefit of the Philippine public.
They are given a place of honor in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and all other cultural presentations.
They are entitled to a State funeral, the arrangements for and expenses of which are borne by the Government.