DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has asked the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to make this city as the cultural center in Mindanao.
"Through our culture and arts council, we encourage a greater artistic expression and plan for the establishment of Davao City as a cultural center in Mindanao," Mayor Sara said in a speech Thursday marking the National Heritage Month celebration every month of May.
The mayor said she remains committed to preserving and promoting heritage at the local level through various initiatives, such as the adoption of fusing communities where 11 indigenous Lumad and Moro tribes converged in a cultural village to showcase their cultures and traditions.
Duterte-Carpio also cited the Museo Dabawenyo where Davao’s artifacts are preserved.
At the opening of the Heritage Month at SM Davao, City Administrator Zuleika Lopez said the mayor was honored to host the month-long event, which she describes as an affirmation of the richness and beauty of the country's cultural heritage.
The mayor also emphasized the shared responsibility of every Filipino to preserve and protect our cultural heritage.
"With the pace of globalization and rapid technological advancement, it is crucial that we give efforts in the preservation of our nation's cultural tradition and national heritage for these are the part of who we are as Filipinos, like woven in intricate patterns of the very fabric of our identity," she said.
Also present were NCCA chairman Virgilio Almario, Filipino Heritage president Armita Rufino, NCCA Commissioner Rico Pableo Jr., Commissioner for Cultural Heritage Rev. Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, Archbishop of Davao Romulo Valles, Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, City Tourism chief Generose Tecson, and representatives of other government and private organization.
In an interview, Lopez said the Davao Culture and Arts Council will provide inputs on improving the preservation of the arts and culture of Davao.
She said this started with the initial PHP100 million grant for the construction of the modern Museo Dabawenyo, which will not only house the artifacts from Davao City and the Davao region but also Mindanao.
She said the construction of the proposed museum is underway, to be built at the sunken area of the People's Park. (PNA)
