WITH the aim of establishing, preserving and developing the culture and arts sector in northern Mindanao, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has announced that it will be accepting project proposals for the 2021 Competitive Grants Program (CGP) until Sept. 30, this year.
Cultural heritage section head Charles Salazar, said NCCA would give grants to “artists and cultural groups that contribute significantly to the Filipino’s cultural legacy as means to extend artistic achievement.
Salazar explained that the CGP is anchored in its “vision of a Filipino people with a strong sense of nationhood and deep respect for cultural diversity and aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) on culture.
“Through the grants program, for the longest time, this is how perhaps the mechanism in which NCCA has tried to establish or enable culture and arts sector in developing culture and arts in the region,” said Salazar.
In a virtual press conference with media, Salazar said the NCCA) launched its 2021 grants program with over 468 slots open to 19 sectors and 100 categories.
The grants generally offered to non profit individuals, organizations, and non undertakings, as the fund transfer, of which the approved projects are entitled to funding subject to applicable government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
“So if you intend to generate income from projects, the grants program is not for your organization,” Salazar said.
The CGP is also project based, which means applications require a project proposal. They must be well-planned where projects present clear objectives and outputs and they are competitive where selection is based on merit.
“People should not be surprised if their proposal will not be approved," said Salazar adding it is part of the process.
Project types include Capacity Building (such as training on improving knowledge of cultural workers), production, publication (dissemination of knowledge), establishment/enhancement of cultural institutions and community gardens (now people are into planting); documentation/development of materials or policy; competitions and festivals and conservation.
Common reasons for disapproval, according to NCCA include: no category, incomplete requirements, late submission, accreditation (must be free from financial obligation), criteria and limited slots.
The commission evaluates the organization who submits the application. “No fly by night NGOs and must be legitimate. Further, proposals must be aligned to the criteria set,” said Salazar.
Meanwhile, NCCA grants processing officer Jonalie Lorilla, said they are processing the applications to ensure that the programs and projects are efficiently carried out by its various partners and that funds are properly guarded.
Founded in 1987 under Executive Order No. 118 the latter presidential directive was then put into law under Republic Act 7356, the NCCA was created.
It is the overall policy-making body, coordinating, and grants giving agency for the preservation, development and promotion of our country’s culture and arts.
In submission of proposals, Salazar reminds the public to ensure that the proposal should indicate the category and on-time.
If the proponents had previously accredited with NCCA should be cleared from previous financial obligations and documentary requirements on the legal standing of individuals or organizations.
The proponents also must ensure that the proposal meets the criteria for selection.
Interested organizations or individuals must submit only one project proposal. For more inquiries, contact the NCCA or may send an email to jlorilla.ncca@gmail.com or visit its website, NCCA.gov.ph. (Recthie Tolinero/JAKA/POA-10)
