Update on the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009

Sen. Edgardo Angara gave his Sponsorship Speech on the much-awaited National Heritage Act of 2009 at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 14th Congress yesterday, January 26, 2009.

Senators Angara and Mar Roxas are both sponsoring the Act, which is jointly submitted by the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture; Finance; Foreign Relations; Urban Planning; Housing and Resettlement; and Ways and Means. The Act consolidates 14 bills filed by Senators Estrada, Legarda, Revilla, Santiago, Trillanes and Villar.

Sen. Dick Gordon, being a former Secretary of Toursim, offered to co-sponsor the Act. He made an extemporaneous speech on the "wonderful" bill, also mentioning that it should have been filed a long time ago. Sen. Joker Arroyo also expressed his interest in co-sponsoring the Act.

Showing support were Exec. Dir. Cecile G. Alvarez, National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Dir. Corazon Alvina, National Museum; Dir. Prudencia Cruz, National Library; Dir. Jose Cruz, Komisyon ng Wikang Pambansa; Dir. Emelita Almosara, National Historical Institute; National Artist Rio Almario, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines; Gemma Cruz Araneta, President of Heritage Conservation Society; and Fr. Pedro Galende, Director of San Agustin Museum.

Source: The Heritage Conservation Society Secretariat

Photo credit to 5am.