MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Lito Lapid wants to preserve graphic novels for future generations to enjoy.
Now an important part of Philippine culture, graphic novels or komiks have become bestsellers in bookstores.
In a bill seeking to set up a Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive, Lapid said the country’s heritage needs to be preserved for all to share and benefit.
“A nation is defined by its history and culture. Our graphic novels and all its write-ups reflect our history and culture,” he said.
Lapid said graphic novels could also be a tool to educate children, depending on its subject matter.
“Since they are full of illustrations, they are often attractive to young readers and can communicate stories about morals or events in history,” he said.
“Some are just pure fun and enhance children’s appreciation of and skill in reading.”
The proposed National Graphic Novel Archive would play a key role in documenting and interpreting Filipino art and experience in the field of graphic novels and in actively contributing to the development of the country’s graphic novel industry.
It would be tasked to collect, store, preserve and make available indigenous graphic novel materials relevant to arts and culture in the country.
The Archive would strive to make the locally produced graphic novels accessible to the widest possible audience in the country and promote and enhance the development of the industry to ensure its sustainability.
It would be placed under the supervision of the Office of the President and would be governed by a board of directors headed by the secretary of education as chairman.
Members of the board include the chairman of the National Archives of the Philippines as co-chairman, the chairman of the National Historical Institute and the director of the National Museum.