The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), headed by Chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso and its Board of Commissioners declares the work of National Artist Ang Kiukok’s titled “Men at Work” as National Cultural Treasure (NCT) and Important Cultural Property (ICP).
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On the 28th of April 2021, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) filed a petition to the NCCA to declare the painting of NA Ang Kiukok titled “Men at Work” as an ICP. Pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10066 and Section 11 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the NCCA called for a public notice to invite opposition or support for the said petition. The Commission also referred the petition to members of its national committees – the NCCA National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA), National Committee on Museums (NCOM) and National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) with nationwide members coming from both the private and public sector. Moreover, the Commission wrote letters to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and to the Taguig City Government requesting their position on the petition. The NMP physically assessed the painting and interposed no objection to the petition noting that the painting clearly meets the criteria of an ICP. In addition, NMP recommended considering the artwork to be declared as NCT. In accordance with Section 3 (bb) of RA 10066, “National Cultural Treasure” is defined as cultural properties possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation.
The painting was inspected and assessed as well in TESDA by a panel of experts. Based on their assessment, the painting may be observed as a tribute to Filipino workers. The panel of experts recommended as well for the artwork to be declared as NCT.
“Men at Work” is a commissioned work for National Manpower and Youth Commission (NMYC) in 1979 and is currently displayed at the entrance wall of the TESDA Auditorium. It is a three-panel painting that symbolizes the strength of the Filipino working men and emphasizes the significance of TESDA’s mandate of providing relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower. Thus, the subject painting is the depiction of the resiliency of the skilled Filipino workforce. After due deliberation and careful evaluation, the petition to declare the “Men at Work” was granted by the NCCA Board of Commissioners last 25 November 2021.
For the procedure and requirements for Declaration/Delisting of Cultural Properties as National Cultural Treasures or Important Cultural Properties and Removal of Presumption as Important Cultural Property, you may refer to NCCA Heritage Bulletin Resolution No. 2021-313.
For more details, please contact the Cultural Property Protection and Regulation Division through the numbers 8527-22-07 or 8527-21-92 local 339 or email us at heritagelaw@ncca.gov.ph. Log on to www.ncca.gov.ph and like the official NCCA Facebook page.
