The column also quoted liberally from an e-group communication by Direk Eddie Romero, who expressed concern over certain policy approaches apparently adopted by NCCA’s new leadership.
Well, I’ve received a rejoinder, which would have immediately seen print as fairness demands, had it landed in my hands much earlier.
The clarificatory letter, written by Ms. Evelyn B. Pantig, who was recently selected NCCA chair, is dated April 30, 2002, or a day after the column appeared. Unfortunately, it only reached me on Thursday, May 23.
Such is the fate of hard copy communication sent to this publication’s office address. Most columnists don’t ever set foot in its premises, relying conveniently on the fax machine or e-mail to send their stuff, and on a wing and a prayer to receive remuneration.
In my case, I rely on the kindness, good graces, and neighborliness of Ma’am Millet. I drop off any hard copy, books or book covers, and/or accompanying photos at her place at midmorn of deadline day, then e-mail the text later in the afternoon. In turn do I get back previously submitted books, photos, a monthly check, and any communication or invite, often hopelessly outdated, that’s been sent to her office.
It was Philippine STAR Lifestyle Sub-editor Eric Catipon, bless his soul, who religiously fixed things up and made it easy for us pampered contributors. He would call up, as he did a week before he left us, to alert me on an advanced deadline whenever he’d have to fill an assignment out of town or abroad.
Such was the case some weeks ago, before he left for Bali to cover the ASEAN Art Awards. He confided over the phone how he’d only be back for a few days, then take off again for the States, and extend his visit there to accommodate his annual vacation. I’ll miss Eric, and his warm voice of assurance on the phone.
In any case, Eric’s premature demise must have contributed to the lag time involved in receiving Ms. Pantig’s rejoinder. But here we print it in full, remarkable as it is for its honesty, even as it must now reassure artists and the cultural community on the availability of funds for programs the NCCA has committed to. NCCA chair Pantig also elucidates on the aboveboard manner in which the Commission performs its essential function.
"Dear Mr. Yuson,
"I am writing with regard to your column titled ‘Trouble anew at the NCCA?’ that appeared in the April 29, 2002 issue of the Philippine Star. I understand your frustration regarding your writing grant. We at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) actually share your sentiment.
"This is the first time that the NCCA has experienced this kind of difficulty in securing the release of the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). As it has been explained to us, this problem stems from the fact that our government is currently in a very tight financial situation.
"Aware of the difficulties that this financial constraint has brought upon our constituents, the NCCA has been very active in pursuing the early release of the funds needed for its regular operations. We have been in constant contact with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through weekly, and even daily meetings to explain why the NCCA urgently needs funds to meet its obligations.
"As of this writing, the efforts of the NCCA seem to have finally borne fruit. In a most recent meeting with the DBM Secretary, an assurance was made on the release of P200 million of NCCA funds. This will enable the NCCA to honor all its commitments, as well as consider subsequent projects within the year.
"Regarding a perceived notion that I have been pushing for culture for tourism thrusts, I would like to clarify that not the chair, but the NCCA board, as a collegial body, approves the funding of projects within its programs. That being the case, I can still recall only three projects that may be tourism-related but culturally-based, all approved during the term of NCCA’s former chair. One is a cultural-tourism program for indigenous communities in the Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park, a program of the National Museum and the DOT aimed at protecting the indigenous communities from the influx of tourists; the other is the promotion of eight Philippine tourist destinations, where the NCCA became a partner through the documentation of these destinations from a historical and/or cultural perspective; another is the restoration of the National Museum in Quezon, Palawan and the preservation of the Tabon Caves – wherein funds were directly released to the National Museum. As a member of the Board of Commissioners, I agreed (not pushed) for the approval of both projects which I found meritorious.
"As to the issue regarding my chairmanship, please be informed that my having been elected NCCA chair was the result of an agreed upon procedure for a deliberate search for nominees conducted by an ad-hoc committee created by the NCCA Board. Culture groups did nominate several candidates – some accepted and some declined. Let me assure you that due process was observed before I was elected by the NCCA Board.
"Sincerely,
"EVELYN B. PANTIG
"Chair, NCCA"
So there you have it. I for one appreciate the NCCA chair’s explanation about the delay in fund releases. And true enough, well before I got to read Ms. Pantig’s letter, a call from someone else at NCCA said the "reader" of my translations of Mike Bigornia’s poems had finally come across, so that my grant’s second tranche was now ready for pick-up.
I’m sure my fellow Writers’ Prize grantees – Lourd de Veyra, Timothy Montes, Roland Tolentino and Jimmuel Naval – would be happy to hear that they can now go full blast on their writing projects and expect no trouble with their compensation. Same with various other artists who are expecting certain NCCA programs to push through.
As for Ms. Pantig’s clarification on what may have seemed like tourism-related projects funded by the NCCA, I’d like to put it on record that what sounded like an insinuation regarding her alleged program preferences came from the usual grapevine, and that its inclusion in the column may be attributed to a generosity of spirit, that is, seriously now, the desire to air in full the expressed concerns of the cultural community, inclusive of self-appointed NCCA watchers and possible detractors.
But her letter lays that matter to rest. I thank Ms. Evelyn Pantig for taking the time and effort to respond to salient concerns, and wish her all the best in steering the NCCA past whatever shoals may be lying in wait in an often stormy environment.