RDC-6 establishes cultural database system

The Regional Development Council in Region 6 through the Regional Culture, Heritage and the Arts Committee (RCHAC) established the the Western Visayas Cultural Statistics and Database System.

A regional technical working group was already created to facilitate and ensure the implementation of the Philippine Framework for Cultural Statistics (PFCS) in the generation and measurement of cultural data in Western Visayas, which will be in accordance with the national and international standards set by the UNESCO.

The PFCS serves as a guideline on the basic concepts of cultural indicators to be gathered and the methodology of generating the data.

The establishment of the regional statistics for culture, heritage, and the arts will improve data reporting that will aid the RCHAC in the preparation of the regional cultural situationer and the formulation of the 10-year Western Visayas Culture, Heritage and the Arts Agenda.

Alphonsus Tesoro, Provincial Culture and Tourism Officer of Capiz, welcomed the TWG members on behalf of RCHAC chairperson, Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, who urged the members to relentlessly pursue the endeavor which will further enrich the culture of the region and promote the preservation of heritage.

Arli Joshua Atienza, Culture and Arts Officer of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)presented the salient features of the PFCS including its six cultural domains: cultural and natural heritage; performance and celebrations; visual arts and artisan’s products; books and press; audio, visual, broadcast and interactive media; and creative services.

During the initial meeting of the group initially, it was agreed there was a need to conduct an orientation on PFCS among regional line agencies, local government units and the higher education institutions; identification of regional cultural indicators and the creation of the Western Visayas Cultural Statistics Portal; gathering of cultural data by the LGUs; and the crafting of the Western Visayas Regional Situationer on Culture, Heritage and the Arts.*