Department of Education

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Special Projects and Legislative Liason
CULTURE AND THE ARTS OFFICE (CAO)
Section 5. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate and objectives,
the Ministry shall have the powers and functions of formulating, planning,
implementing and coordinating the policies, plans, programs and projects for
the following areas of responsibility: …(d) Development of culture (E.O.
No. 117, REORGANIZATION OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND
SPORTS, January 30, 1987)

The CULTURE AND THE ARTS OFFICE of the Department of Education

(DepED) is created by virtue of DepED Order No. 71, series of 2007 entitled
“Constituting a Special Committee on Culture and the Arts” dated October
15, 2007, in accordance with the thrust of the Department to promote and
preserve Filipino cultural and artistic traditions. The Office is under the
supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Special Projects and Legislative
Liaison, headed by Asst. Sec. Jonathan E. Malaya. This office is geared
towards the promotion of Philippine Culture and to develop, strengthen and
implement an Integrated Culture and the Arts Program in line with the
“Education for All (EFA) 2015” and Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda
(BESRA) of the Department. It is also empowered to coordinate and
synchronize different efforts in the implementation of Culture and the Arts
programs/projects towards a more intense participation from the regions to
the school level, with the cooperation of governmental and non-
governmental entities. It specific functions are as follows:

 Serve as a Secretariat for all culture and the arts programs and
projects of the Department, in coordination of the Special Committee
on Culture and the Arts.
 Coordinates with the Special Program in the Arts implementers in
regional and school levels.
 Provides culture and other entertainment presentations for any
education-related television show such as “Sining Gising” on NBN
Channel 4
 Acts as principal coordinator on all activities with the National
Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
 Acts as a principal coordinator on all activities related to the national
Music Competition on Young Artist (NAMCYA)
 Establish coordination and linkages with other government agencies
and private entities in relation to cultural and arts activities
 Organize and implements the conduct of the annual “Pampaaralang
Sining Pambansa Festival” (National Schools Art Festival)
 Undertakes review of education-related films, television or theatrical
shows, for comment and recommendations; and
 Performs such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary of
Education and other competent authorities.