An executive of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Wednesday said communities play a vital role in enriching the country’s culture.

“Communities play an important role in ensuring the enrichment and appreciation of our cultural heritage. We need to look back, see the history,” Jose Eleazar Bersales, head of NCCA’s Committee on Museums, said in Filipino during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview.

This year’s National Heritage Month’s theme is “Preserving Legacies, Building Futures: Empowering Communities Through Heritage.”

Bersales said that since the Philippines is an archipelagic country, the development and appreciation for heritage are not the same in all places.

“President Marcos signed the Cultural Mapping Law, and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations) have just been released. There will be cultural mapping in all local government units (LGUs) down to the barangay level. Iyan ang magpapa-level ng playing field sa pag-inventory, pag-identify at pag-protect ng ating mga heritage resources (This would level the playing field in inventory, in identifying and protecting heritage resources),” he said.

LGUs, according to Bersales, should have ordinances that would protect their heritage assets, promote them and make history books, and introduce or reinforce these in their educational system.

To help and encourage LGUs, Bersales said the NCCA provides grants and announces a call for proposals to help artists, communities, individuals, museums, and indigenous people.

The NCCA also provides technical assistance, such as providing honorarium to speakers, he added.

Museums, he said, could also apply for up to PHP600,000 to enhance the facility.

Meanwhile, the NCCA has prepared flagship projects this month, according to Bersales.

Among these include the National Committee on Library Information Services’ ongoing training on library preservation and digitalization; National Committee on Art Galleries training on archiving and collection management for artists and art galleries.

The National Committee on Historical Research will hold a training on writing local histories in Tacloban from May 20 to 21, he said. (PNA)