Performing arts center in UP to be renamed Cultural Center of Cebu

A PROPOSED ordinance seeks to rename the Cebu Performing Arts Center in the University of the Philippines Cebu campus into the Cultural Center of Cebu.

The ordinance authored by Provincial Boardmember Arleigh Sitoy already passed second reading. The measure outlines the administration of the center.

Sitoy’s proposed ordinance outlined a governing body to do such duties, through a board of trustees, which will then be chaired by the governor.

The board of trustees will appoint a director, who will be in charge of the over-all operations of the center, including the promulgation and execution of policies and programs, subject to the approval of the board of trustees.

According to the draft ordinance which passed second reading last Sept. 10, the board of trustees will include a board member, who heads the committee on arts and culture, as the vice chair.

The members will be composed of the chair of the committee on education of the Provincial Board (PB); one representative from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas College Campus; one distinguished Cebuano artist, endorsed by the Committee on Arts and Culture; one distinguished Cebuano historian, endorsed by at least two academic institutions; and four private sector representatives to be appointed by the governor, with a term co-terminus with that of the appointing authority; and the director of the Museo Sugbo, as ex-officio member.

In the accompanying resolution, Sitoy pointed out that “there is no existing legal mechanism- which would serve as the basis and guide for the Cebu provincial government to fund, operate, administer and manage directly and solely the above said culture and arts center.”

The proposed ordinance also stated that the provincial government will annually appropriate funds for the CCC for the first three years. In the succeeding years, the board of trustees is given the option to stop or continue allocating funds.

The CCC was officially inaugurated and launched last Nov. 25, 2011 after about 18 years of construction. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent