Designating the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company as the Philippine National Folk Dance Company

April 15, 1998

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8626

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE BAYANIHAN PHILIPPINE DANCE COMPANY AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL FOLK DANCE COMPANY, DEFINING ITS ROLE AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy.— Pursuant to Article II, Sections 17 and 23, and Article XIV, Sections 14, 15 and 18(2) of the Philippine Constitution, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to appropriately recognize, designate and support nongovernment organizations that have demonstrated pioneering, long, consistent and unassailable competence, effectiveness and success in researching and documenting Philippine folk art and culture and transforming these into art forms and cultural fame that have won and continue to win national as well as international validity, recognition, acceptance and renown.

SECTION 2. Designation as Philippine National Folk Dance Company. — The Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company is hereby designated as the Philippine National Folk Dance Company, in recognition of its having fulfilled the norms of the above-cited national policy, and having satisfied the following criteria:

(a) It is national in scope. It tackles and presents the arts, culture, traditions, issues, and concerns of the nation and it draws the best artists from all over the country;

(b) It is the best in its field in the country. It has maintained the highest standard of excellence, manifested in the quality of its production, artists, artistic staff, activities and products;

(c) It is world-class, having represented the country in numerous touring engagements, festivals, competitions and international events and having been acclaimed by foreign audiences and critics alike; and

(d) It has a track record artistically; has a regular and continuing set of activities in pursuit of its mission; and was able to maintain a viable and sustainable organization to support its programs.

SECTION 3. Role and Functions. — As the Philippine National Folk Dance Company, the Bayanihan shall discharge the following roles and functions:

(a) Undertake a continuing program of research and documentation of Philippine folk culture with emphasis on rituals and dances and their accompanying songs, music, decorations and ornaments. This program will constitute the raw materials for the enrichment of music, dances and costumes suitable for staging as the Bayanihan repertoire for national as well as international performances;

(b) Document the research and its results as books, publications, audiotapes, videocassettes, compact discs and other forms of media or mass distribution intended for schools and the public, thereby sharing the output of the program with all Filipinos as well as the international audience;

(c) Develop a pool of folk dance masters responsible for recruiting, training and maintaining a permanent corps of dancers whose sole function is to implement a national dance outreach program to transfer the culture and the art through workshops, seminars and dance clinics, open to talented Filipinos all over the country;

(d) Develop and maintain a world-class company to perform during state visits and other state occasions and events, both in the Philippines and abroad;

(e) To conduct fund raising projects such as raffle draws, benefit shows and other activities to further support other Bayanihan projects; and

(f) As a special role and function in connection with the Centennial of Philippine Independence in 1998, to prepare a new repertoire based on the themes and topics of the Centennial for national performances and international dance tours abroad.

SECTION 4. Entitlement. — The Bayanihan as the Philippine National Folk Dance Company shall be entitled to the following:

(a) Free use of theater facilities at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for performances and stage rehearsals: Provided, however, That a reasonable amount for electric and water bills may be charged;

(b) Free use of office space, rehearsal studios, production and technical facilities at the Cultural Center of the Philippines: Provided, further, That a reasonable amount for electric and water bills may be charged; and

(c) Project grants for research, documentation and/or production from the National Commission on Culture and Arts.

SECTION 5. Memorandum of Agreement. — Within thirty (30) days upon effectivity of this Act, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, shall execute the necessary arrangements with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. The President of the Philippines may hereby designate, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports, additional national folk dance companies with the same entitlements and privileges accorded by this Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriation of Funds. — The amount of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to support the roles and functions stated in Section 3 of this Act. Thereafter, such sums necessary to sustain the aforestated roles and functions shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon its approval. prcd

Approved: April 15, 1998

Published in Philippine Times Journal on June 5, 1998 and Manila Standard on June 4, 1998.