Definition of Terms
- Manlilikha ng Bayan: A Filipino citizen or group engaged in a uniquely Filipino traditional art with high technical and artistic excellence, whose skills are widely practiced in their community.
- Traditional Folk Art: Artistic expressions with distinctiveness and quality serving decorative, utilitarian, or socio-cultural functions created by traditional folk artists.
Criteria and Qualifications for Manlilikha ng Bayan
- Technical and creative skill: Mastery of art tools/materials; established reputation for extraordinary technical quality.
- Artistic quality: Consistent production of outstanding and superior works.
- Community tradition: Transfer or willingness to transfer skills to community members.
- Folk art tradition: Engagement in a recognized folk art tradition documented for at least 50 years.
- Character and integrity: Respected and admired for personal integrity.
- Additional criteria may be required by implementing agencies.
Award and Incentives
- Award named Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, includes:
- Commemorative plaque/medal with a duplicate displayed in local cultural centers.
- Initial grant of ₱100,000 and monthly lifetime stipend of ₱10,000 (subject to conditions).
- Documentation and cataloguing of the awardee’s surviving works and work methods.
- Introduction of vocational courses using awardee’s materials and techniques to promote skill transfer.
- Feasibility study for cottage industry development based on awardee's art.
- Invitation to cultural events to honor their contribution.
Duties and Responsibilities of Awardees
- Transfer traditional folk art skills to younger generations via apprenticeships and training.
- Cooperate with implementing agency on promotion and propagation of traditional folk arts.
- Donate a sample or copy of their work to the National Museum.
Implementing Agency and Powers
- Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts (PCCA) responsible for program development, selection, and regulation enforcement.
- Can appoint expert panels including representatives from cultural offices (Muslim Affairs, Southern and Northern Cultural Communities).
- Recognized traditional folk arts include weaving, woodcarving, metal-working, embroidery, dance, music, literature, pottery, indigenous architecture, and more.
- Powers include increasing monetary grants (non-retroactively), protection of intellectual property rights, promotion of awardees’ designs, and coordination with government/private sectors for economic development.
- Conduct monitoring, evaluation, awareness dissemination, and fund generation for the Act's implementation.
Appropriations
- Funding to be included in the General Appropriations Act starting the year following enactment.
Tax Privileges
- Donations to PCCA for Manlilikha ng Bayan enjoy:
- Exemption from donor’s tax.
- Tax deduction for donors’ gross income.
- Exemption from taxes and duties on foreign donations.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws or issuances are amended or repealed accordingly.
Effectivity Clause
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.