THE House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has approved the measure strengthening the promotion of Philippine arts, culture, and language worldwide through the Sentro Rizal initiative.

The panel headed by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo agreed to endorse for plenary debates the substitute bill for House Bill 10144, principally authored by Rep. Christopher de Venecia.

The solons stressed that now is the time for Filipino culture to take center stage in the global landscape.

“We are proposing now for a reform of the Sentro Rizal to be more outward-looking as well not just catering to the Filipino diaspora but to the 4 to 5 billion people around the world so that they will come, acknowledge, respect, and celebrate Filipino culture,” De Venecia added.

Sentro Rizal is a repository of materials on Philippine arts, culture, and language, located in Philippine embassies around the world.

Materials may be in the form of books, digital discs, films, magazines, artworks, among others. It may also host cultural programs and activities for Filipinos abroad, to promote appreciation and understanding of Philippine culture and the arts.

Director Angela Alfara of the Department of Foreign Affairs estimated that P50 million is needed to operate the Sentro Rizal in Vietnam, while P67 million is needed for another one in Cambodia.

Given the budgetary requirements, the substitute bill will be subject to the review of the committee on appropriations.

The intent behind the grant of incentives mentioned in the bill was clarified during the deliberations, with De Venecia explaining that the aim is to give rewards to top-performing Sentro Rizals.

“This will be akin to the Department of Tourism Champions Challenge Program or the DTI Department of Trade and Industry Lungsod Lunsad Program,” De Venecia added.