BAGUIO City Rep. Mark Go is hopeful that the bill creating a school for the arts in the city will soon be passed by the Senate.

Go said the school will provide an avenue for talented youth in Baguio and in Northern Luzon to hone their skills and foster artistic expression.

“Culture and the arts are essential to the holistic development of society. As such, it is important to inculcate in the youth the value of the arts, to give them an avenue for their creative pursuits, and to introduce them to real-world opportunities in the creative sector,” he said.

“This will support the city’s commitment to upholding its creative and cultural traditions and providing sustainable livelihood to its local artisans,” Go added.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 10556 which seeks to create the Baguio City High School for the Arts.

Baguio City was the first Philippine city to be inducted into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative Cities Network in 2017, which recognizes cities with rich cultural heritage.

Go said a formal academic institution focused on the arts will help ensure long-term sustainability in the creative sector, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The school will be administered and supervised by the Department of Education in coordination with the Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The NCCA and CCP will provide policy direction and technical assistance to the school through the DepEd-Cordillera Administrative Region office and Baguio City Schools Division Office.