Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has set aside ₱76.8 million to provide assistance to cultural workers and artists affected by quarantine restrictions because of the global pandemic.
“Karamihan po sa kanila (Most of them are) freelancers po, no, wala pong (with no) employer-employee relationship. Sila po yung talagang direkta na tinatamaan nito (They are the ones directly affected by the pandemic),” said NCCA Executive Director Al Ryan Alejandre in a ‘Laging Handa’ virtual briefing on Thursday.
Alejandre said they are currently providing financial assistance to around 14,520 freelance cultural workers and artists across 19 sectors.
Mass gatherings have been prohibited under all forms of community quarantine, which include entertainment-related events like festivals, shows, and performances. Cultural activities have also been disallowed. Given these restrictions along with rules on physical distancing, the agency plans to assist cultural workers and artists in adapting their programs for online platforms.
“Isa sa malaking plano namin ay ang pagbigay ng mga (One of our major plans is to provide) orientations and seminars or retooling sa ating mga (for our) artists and cultural workers paano mai-transform nila ang kanilang mga programa na (on how to can transform programs that are) supposed to be public, involving the public,” explained Marichu Tellano, deputy director of the NCCA.
The challenge is to provide cultural educators, workers, and artists the capacity to utilize these platforms to give the public access to art and cultural works, added Tellano. With this, access to these platforms must be strengthened, she said.
She added that NCCA has started bringing their programs online as well, like the National Heritage Month this May. All of the event’s activities have been conducted virtually, said Tellano.
Tellano also revealed the agency is mulling a partnership for an online marketplace where artists can promote their skills. She adds this could be accessed both by Filipinos and those outside the country.
The usage of digital platforms is a good opportunity because a lot of Filipinos are currently on the internet, she added.
The NCCA estimates there are around 2,650 groups, which translate to some 300,000 to 400,000 individuals, that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
