NCCA calls for proposals on competitive grants 2019

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1010569
• Monday, July 23, 2018

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) has called for project proposals specifically coming from Mindanao for implementation in 2019.

In a press conference on July 12, here, Hobart Savior, National Committee on Cinema and director of Xavier Center for Culture and Arts (XCCA) shared the call of NCCA application for competitive grants is important because there is a drift of applications coming from Mindanao.

He said in 2018, there are only 34 projects approved from Mindanao, (about 19 percent in the country) low in comparison to Luzon and Visayas approved grants.

"Many of our institutions have not really submitted their proposals that is why NCCA really strived hard to conduct technical assistance on proposal writing so that artists and art institutions can really submit," Savior said.

Savior, however, added there was an impression on how difficult it is to write a proposal, how tedious also are the requirements.

On writing a proposal, Savior said, "Clarity is important. You have to know what it is really about, the description, background, and purpose. You must identify key result areas and impact as well."

Further, the project proposal should have an impact to the society. And in order for participants to create impact, they also need to create credibility and integrity.

He said for a new entry to apply at NCCA, the proposal should speak about the merit of one's project and as a person or institution.

There is no discrimination, he said, because there is always the first time, therefore, the proposal should be in full integrity and credibility.

Second, if one is already a comeback proponent, for example, Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts for 10 years is supported by NCCA. The track record will be the basis for such submission.

NCCA has the resources, they have the grants and the technical assistance to anyone who would want to avail, Savior added.

Dr. Pilar Banaag, vice head for National Communication Committee said they conducted proposal writing at Deluxe Hotel, here, however, there are only 20 participants from local government units (LGUs) and various groups from the 50 anticipated.

“We need this because we in Mindanao also need to come out and showcase that we have culture,” she said.

She said this is the first time culture is integrated into the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 from a Mindanao President, focusing the area of culture emphasizing promoting Philippine culture and values.

She explained, "What the present administration is doing is pushing through, a pending bill in the Senate, to create Department of Culture. We are left behind by other ASEAN countries as they have already their Ministry of Culture."

Dr. Banaag said the 2019 competitive grants is open to all proponents, civil society and even local government units to submit proposal to NCCA, the deadline is July 31, 2018. For more info, interested participants will just have to visit www.ncca.gov.ph.