The Western Visayas Regional Culture, Heritage and the Arts Committee (RCHAC), created by the RDC-VI pursuant to Resolution No. 49, s. 2019, held its organizational meeting in a virtual conference on June 26, 2020. The meeting also served as a venue for the election of officers.
In his welcome message, NEDA-VI Assistant Regional Director Arecio A. Casing Jr. thanked the members for joining the meeting and emphasized the need to have a committee under the RDC-VI that will serve as a regional body that will provide a venue for the discussion and the formulation of enabling policies to preserve, conserve and promote the region’s rich culture, heritage and arts.
A short briefing on the functions of RCHAC and the guidelines for the election of the chairperson and co-chairperson as well as the introduction of pre-identified members of the RCHAC (as provided in the RDC-VI Resolution No. 49 s. 2019) preceded the election.
Out of 24 pre-identified member RLAs and LGUs, 16 were present composed of heads and authorized representatives of DA, DENR, DepEd, DENR, DILG, DOT, DTI, NCCA, NCIP; the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental; the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod and the Municipality of Kalibo.
There were also nine (9) private sector representatives who were present during the meeting from the accredited private arts and culture organization namely: Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio School of Performing Arts; Antikenyo Busalian Association, Inc.; Dark Media Creation Video Production; The Performance Laboratory, Inc.; Negros Museum; Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc.; Iloilo Festival Foundation, Inc.; Miagao Weavers Association, Inc.; and the United Architects of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter.
The election was conducted through online balloting. Elected were Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras of the Province of Capiz as Chairperson and Mr. Ramon Cua Locsin of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. as Co-Chairperson.
The meeting concluded with agreements to schedule online orientation / capability building webinars for RCHAC Members organized by NEDA-VI in coordination with NCCA in July and August 2020. Topics include Filipino Values: A boon or bane amid COVID-19 pandemic; Developing Culture, Heritage and the Arts Assets in Revitalizing the Industry and Services Sector; Arts for Recovery of Physical and Mental health; and the Strengthening of Filipino Values in Education towards the New Normal./ PFPD, NEDA6
