Revisiting the CCP's mandates

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its inauguration.

- DENNIS N. MARASIGAN

This occasion provides an opportune moment to revisit the purposes for which it was created, and to assess how well these have been achieved.

The CCP as a public trust

As provided in Executive Order No. 30 issued on June 30, 1966, the CCP was created as a public trust to address the need for an effective organization to receive donations and financial commitments for the preservation, promotion, enhancement and development of Philippine culture and the arts.

Th same Executive Order identified the following as the purposes and objectives of the CCP:

“1. To construct, establish and maintain in a single site a national theater, a national music hall, an art gallery and such other buildings and facilities as are necessary or desirable for the holding of conferences, seminars, concerts and the like;

2. To awaken the consciousness of our people to our cultural heritage, and to encourage them to assist in its preservation, promotion, enhancement and development;

3. To cultivate and enhance public interest in, and appreciation of, distinctive Philippine arts in various fields;

4. To discover, assist and develop talents connected with Philippine cultural pursuits and create greater opportunities for individual and national self-expression in cultural affairs; and