BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – An executive of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has called on indigenous peoples to join their 2023 Competitive Grants to develop, preserve, and promote their culture.
Pablito Gonzales, head of the NCCA National Committee on Central Cultural Communities Pablito Gonzales also said in a news conference here today at the Negros Museum that they will accept proposals for grants that can range from P100,000 to P1 million.
More than 10 projects by proponents in Negros Occidental have been accepted for 2021.
“Gina invite kamo tanan nga mag apply, most especially involved sa pag-advocate sa mga indigenous peoples naton kay ang indigenous peoples actually permi lang ginapahigad higad ini – deprived sang mga support naton, from the government, support from private sectors, so kabay pa tani nga mabuligan ta sila” according to Gonzales.
He added that some IPs refuse to get vaccinated because they have beliefs and concoctions that drives away diseases, such as COVID-19; and that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is encouraging them to get vaccinated.
Vaccine hesitancy of some of the IPs members have led them to have troubles in their transactions and travels, Gonzales said.
Only one proposal is accepted per person/organisation per year and must be in line to develop and promote Philippine culture and arts, and must pass the meticulous approval process.
The grants program has different sub-commissions such as Subcommission on the Arts (SCA); Subcommission on Cultural and Traditional Arts (SCCTA); Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination (SCD); and Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH).
The projects that are categorised based on its relevance on the said commissions will have varying budget allocations.
The deadline on the submission of proposals is until 31 August 2022, and will be implemented the following year.