The Philippines' Medium Term Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (MTPDPCA 2001-2004) is now available online on the website of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).

Following a review of the developments and achievements in the country’s cultural sphere from the period 1992-2000, a series of challenges and directions were identified, with a number of these informing strategies, policy and legislative development outlined in the new ‘Plan’.

1992-2000 is identified in the ‘Plan’ as being a period of rapid cultural and cultural infrastructure growth in the Philippines which saw the creation of the NCCA and the National Endowment Fund for Culture. Eight sites in the Philippines were also declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites during this time.

This period saw increasing government expenditure on the cultural sector, with the sector’s share of Gross National Product (GNP) increasing from 0.07% in 1992 to 0.17% in 2000, with the budget allocation for arts and culture in 2000 being more than triple that of 1992. Increased participation in the arts was also noted, one example being the near doubling of library users between 1998 and 2000. There was also a tripling of arts awards and prizes given in the cultural sector during this period.

Key achievements from 1992-2000 included the Centennial of Philippine Independence celebrations in 1998, the National Archives digitisation project, establishment of three Schools of Living Tradition and the decentralisation of arts activity through the establishment of 22 local culture and arts councils in regional areas. Areas of concern included the desecration of buildings and quarters of heritage and cultural significance due to commercial development, compact disc piracy, copyright infringement and increasing levels of foreign content on local television and in cinemas.

The current ‘Plan’ identifies that fast developments in both the local and global scene continue to challenge the cultural sector with addressing of the following areas being key:

• The lack of systematic protection and promotion of Filipino cultural heritage;
• The need to democratise and provide mechanisms for opening opportunities for all to participate in cultural development processes;
• The need to promote a culture of peace and unity and strengthen national identity and dignity;
• The need to intensify cultural action towards protecting indigenous peoples’ rights, fostering harmony in cultural diversity, and defining Filipino contribution in the global culture;
• The need to professionalise cultural work;
• The challenge to enhance positive Filipino values, discipline, and social responsibility;
• The inadequate cultural education program; and
• The need to design instruments to measure cultural development

For full details of programs and strategies in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (MTPDCA 2001-2004) go to: www.ncca.gov.ph/organization/ncca-mtpdpca.htm