QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 208)
Presidential Decree No. 208 (June 7, 1973) grants privileges and honors to National Artists in recognition of their contributions to Philippine cultural heritage, and creates a special fund to carry out those purposes.
A cash award of ten thousand pesos (₱10,000) is given upon conferment of the award and decoration of National Artist.
A life pension of two thousand pesos (₱2,000) payable monthly.
Medical and hospitalization benefits are provided to National Artists.
The Government Service Insurance System (and/or private insurance companies) provides a lifetime insurance policy of fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) from date of conferment, if the National Artist is insurable. The premiums are paid by the National Government or may be covered by donations from governmental or private entities.
National Artists are entitled to a place of honor in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and all other cultural presentations.
A State funeral is provided, with arrangements and expenses borne by the Government.
The Awards Committee may authorize disbursement of funds for travel expenses of National Artists to and from places where their works of art may be on official exhibition for the benefit of the Philippine public.
It is composed of the members of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, created to administer the Award and Decoration of National Artist under Proclamation No. 1144 (May 15, 1973).
The National Artist must remain a citizen of the Philippines as a condition for retention of the award and decoration and the privileges and honors decreed under PD No. 208.
A Special Account is created in the annual General Appropriations Act, with an initial appropriation of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (₱500,000), authorized from funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Thereafter, the amount necessary to replenish the Special Account must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Disbursements are subject to audit by the Commission on Audit.
A report of disbursements must be submitted to the Office of the President once every six months.
It is made part of the law of the land and takes effect immediately.
It is a lifetime insurance policy of ₱50,000 provided by the Government Service Insurance System and/or private insurance companies; coverage applies from date of conferment and only “in the event the National Artist is insurable.”