The Regional Development Council 2 expressed its support for the creation of Department of Culture (DOC) during its 116th Regular Business Meeting conducted on December 5, 2019 at the Piazza Ziccareli, Gamu, Isabela.

The creation of the DOC is recognized as one of the pillars for achieving inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered development under the Philippine Development Plan and the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 (Chapter 7). This ensures the protection, preservation, regulation, development, management, dissemination and promotion of the cultural, historical and artistic heritage and resources, tangible and intangible, of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

By establishing a DOC, culture and arts shall be mainstreamed into government’s development agenda by providing the culture sector better access to resources. Likewise, the different directions and policies of cultural agencies can be synergized. Supporting the proposed creation of a DOC will address the increasing needs for equitable access to cultural education, cultural services, and safeguarding cultural and historical heritage resources at the local level. Thus, allowing the government to build a high trust society and establish strong emotional and cultural roots in its community.# LDMarasigan, NEDA2-DRD