National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso (PNA photo by Cristina Arayata)
MANILA -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts' (NCCA) provision of cash assistance to cultural workers affected by the pandemic is still ongoing, and it has also rolled out programs digitally, chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso said Thursday.
In a virtual presser with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Lizaso reported that almost PHP69 million was already disbursed since April, helping 9,600 cultural artists and workers nationwide.
"We created a cash assistance program to help the artists and cultural workers who lost their jobs," he said, adding that the freelancers were mostly affected.
There are about 1,000 more workers who will receive aid from the NCCA, according to Lizaso.
He said forms were provided so they can avail of the cash assistance. A committee screens these forms to check the artists' eligibility, and to check if there are duplications, he remarked.
"We asked the DBM's (Department of Budget and Management's) permission for this assistance since we just collected the funds from the budget for the programs that we cannot push through due to the pandemic," he said.
The funds also came from the National Endowment Fund, he added.
Meanwhile, Lizaso noted that NCCA did not stop inspiring citizens amid the pandemic. It has been working hard to show the importance of arts and culture, he said.
"All our projects now are digital. We are planning for different programs for the 'new normal'," he shared.
The NCCA, he said, has been conducting webinars, online contests, and lectures for elementary students.
There is also an online show called "Padayon", which Lizaso said the public can view online daily at 3 p.m.
Based on the NCCA's website, "Padayon: the NCCA Hour" airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; while "The Padayon Presents" airs every Tuesday and Thursday, over NCCA’s Facebook page.
Viewers can expect educational and informative segment of the show, interviews with national artists, among others, Lizaso said. (PNA)
In a virtual presser with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Lizaso reported that almost PHP69 million was already disbursed since April, helping 9,600 cultural artists and workers nationwide.
"We created a cash assistance program to help the artists and cultural workers who lost their jobs," he said, adding that the freelancers were mostly affected.
There are about 1,000 more workers who will receive aid from the NCCA, according to Lizaso.
He said forms were provided so they can avail of the cash assistance. A committee screens these forms to check the artists' eligibility, and to check if there are duplications, he remarked.
"We asked the DBM's (Department of Budget and Management's) permission for this assistance since we just collected the funds from the budget for the programs that we cannot push through due to the pandemic," he said.
The funds also came from the National Endowment Fund, he added.
Meanwhile, Lizaso noted that NCCA did not stop inspiring citizens amid the pandemic. It has been working hard to show the importance of arts and culture, he said.
"All our projects now are digital. We are planning for different programs for the 'new normal'," he shared.
The NCCA, he said, has been conducting webinars, online contests, and lectures for elementary students.
There is also an online show called "Padayon", which Lizaso said the public can view online daily at 3 p.m.
Based on the NCCA's website, "Padayon: the NCCA Hour" airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; while "The Padayon Presents" airs every Tuesday and Thursday, over NCCA’s Facebook page.
Viewers can expect educational and informative segment of the show, interviews with national artists, among others, Lizaso said. (PNA)
