OCT 10, 2015

NR # 3983B

Solonpushesforbillrecognizingartistsasprofessionals
Artists,suchasthoseengagedinvisualorperformingarts,maysoonenjoythe
samebenefitsenjoyedbyregularworkersinthecountry.
Rep.NielC.Tupas,Jr.(5thDistrict,Iloilo)filedHouseBill6068,whichseeks,
amongotherthings,torecognizeartistsasprofessionalandgrantthemthecorresponding
rightsandprivileges.
Tupas, chairman of the Committee on Justice, said despite the constitutional
provisionsrecognizingthevaluablecontributionsof artiststosociety,artistshavenot
acquiredprofessionalworkingstatusandstandardizedbenefits.
Theyhavenotbeenaffordedmedical,disability,retirement,deathinsuranceand
housing benefits despite their contributions to the cultural development of the
Philippines,Tupassaid.
ItisthedutyoftheStatetoenactandimplementappropriatepoliciesforthewelfare
and protection of artists, including artists who are members of indigenous cultural
communities,Tupasadded.
ThebillstatesthatitshallbethepolicyoftheStatetoprotectandpromotethe
rightsofanartisttobeconsideredasapersonactuallyengagedinculturalworkandto
benefitfromalllegal,socialandeconomicadvantagespertainingtothestatusofworkers.
Inlinewiththispolicy,theStateshallimprovethesocialsecurity,labor,medical,
andlegalconditionsoftheartist,whetheremployedorselfemployed,takingintoaccount
theircontributionstoculturaldevelopment,throughasystemofaccreditation.
Likewise,theStateshallcreateandsustainacultureencouragingfreedomofartistic
expression and communication, and to facilitate the release of necessary resources in
developingtheartistscreativetalents.
Itshallalsodevelopmeansofprovidingwelfareandlegalinformationtoartists,as
wellasprovidesecond/alternativecareeropportunitiestoartistswhowishtoretirefrom
theirrespectiveart.
Underthebill,artististakentomeananypersonwhocreatesorgivescreative
expression to, or recreates works of art, who considers his artistic creation to be an
essentialpartofhislife,whocontributesinthiswaytothedevelopmentofartandculture

andwhoisoraskstoberecognizedasanartist.Thisincludesindigenousartistsand
culturalperformers.
Accreditedartist,ontheotherhand,referstoanartistwhoisaFilipino,atleast18
yearsofage,incompliancewiththerequirementsforaccreditationinSection7ofthisAct
orthosemembersofexistingartsguildsdulyregisteredandaccreditedasprovidedforby
thelaw.
Section7statesthattobeconsideredanaccreditedartist,onemustbeaFilipino
citizen who is at least 18 years of age and posses experiences in the different art
disciplinesorformssuchasLiteraryArtsofwhichhe/shehasauthored5poemsor2short
stories(LiteraryArts);hasparticipatedin5danceproductionsor5musicproductions;5
theater performances; 5 film performances; has built 5 structures (Architecture); has
mounted 5 exhibits (Visual and Design Arts) or has managed at least 5
productions/programs.
Themeasureprovidesthatanaccreditedartistshallhavetherightsandprivilegesto
beprovidedwithPhilHealth,SSS/GSIS,HomeDevelopmentMutualFund(PagIBIG)
andshallbeentitledtoallotherbenefitsasprovidedbythepertinentprovisionsoflaw.
Itfurtherstatesthatanaccreditedartistshallhavetherightsandprivilegesoffree
legal aid and information, medical assistance, hospitalization, and options for
second/alternativecareers.
Theaccreditedartistsshallalsoenjoythegrantof10percentdiscountprivilegeon
saleofgoodsandservicesfromallestablishmentssuchasbutnotlimitedtomedicines,
professional fees of attending physicians; medical and dental services, diagnostic and
laboratoryfeesinhospitalsandmedicalfacilities.(30)mvip