Duterte signs laws establishing cultural centers, museums

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed laws establishing cultural centers and museums in Kalinga, Biliran and Cagayan de Oro City.

The President signed on Tuesday Republic Act 11770, which establishes the Kalinga Cultural Center and Museum; RA 11771, which creates the Cagayan de Oro City Cultural Center and Museum, and RA 11772, which establishes the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum.

The laws aim to “promote culture and the arts” in the areas while the cultural centers and museums would serve  as a medium “for the protection, preservation, presentation and promotion of the cultural, artistic, archaeological, social, historical, religious and philosophical heritage of these areas and their people.”

The funds needed to implement the laws shall be initially charged against the budget of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The cultural centers and museums shall compile musical notes and lyrics of the traditional songs, ballads and contemporary music compositions as well as publish and disseminate literary works, epics, stories and historical accounts, among others.

Duterte also signed RA 11769, which establishes a district office of the Land Transportation Office in General Trias, Cavite.