In an interview on the program "Hoy Bawal ‘Yan!", Ivan Anthony Henares shared where the National Commission for Culture and the Arts or NCCA gets funding to finance the repair of damaged cultural properties and historic buildings.

According to Dr. Henares, “The irony of it all, part of the funds that was used to reconstruct the churches in Bohol was the travel tax because the NCCA gets 10% from the travel tax.”

This came after several historic churches in the province were damaged by an earthquake.

Dr. Henares added, “So kung mawawala ‘yon, I’m not saying I’m pro or against the travel tax, but what I’m saying is that we need to have another source of funding for the restoration of structures.”

He emphasized the importance of securing enough funding, especially when heritage structures are damaged by earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters.

“Kaya nga mahirap. That’s why I always say it’s subject to the availability of funding… Alam naman natin, kapag nangyari ang earthquake, nangyari ang typhoon, nangyari ang volcanic eruption, ito ay biglaan,” he said.

Because of this, the NCCA continues to push for a more stable source of funding for disaster response and restoration projects to help preserve the country’s cultural treasures and historical identity for future generations.