House panel OKs bill developing Filipino musical talents

MANILA – A measure that seeks to discover, help, and develop Filipino musical talents and promote Philippine music has hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives.

During a virtual hearing on Monday, the House ways and means committee approved a substitute bill designating the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) as the national youth development program for music.

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, author of the bill, said it seeks to encourage young artists who excel in music competition and performance to preserve, develop, and promote Philippine music as an art.

Under the bill, the NAMCYA shall discover outstanding musical talents through nationwide competitions and festivals designated for young Filipino musicians in all forms, styles, and musical traditions in the country.

“It also aims to discover young artists in the field of choral singing, piano, chamber music, family ensemble, and indigenous instruments,” he said.

Rodriguez noted that since the competitions were launched in 1973 under Presidential Proclamation No. 1173, which declares the period between Nov. 26 and Dec. 12 of every year as National Week for Young Artists, their main sponsor has been the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), whose president chairs the national committee that conducts the events.

The bill mandates the CCP to provide financial support, office space, and free use of venues and facilities for NAMCYA-organized competitions, festivals, productions, and performances.

Aside from CCP financial assistance, the bill appropriates PHP50 million for NAMCYA-related activities.

The Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Commission on Higher Education are mandated to help in the identification, selection and training of participants in different levels. State colleges and universities are to provide free use of facilities.

Financial, technical, scholarship and research assistance would also come from the National Commission for the Arts and Culture.

Government corporations and the private sector are encouraged to donate to finance NAMCYA activities. Donations would be exempt from donor’s tax and may be deducted from gross income.

The CCP, in coordination with relevant agencies, would issue implementing rules and regulations.