MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND MINISTRY OF CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OF THE REPUB…

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth of the Republic of Singapore (hereinafter referred to individually as “Participant” and collectively as “Participants”), express their understanding and intentions concerning their cooperation in establishing the Philippines-Singapore Cultural Cooperation Programme (hereinafter referred to as the “Programme”).

Guided by the objective of strengthening the bilateral relations of both Participants, and developing cooperation on the basis of reciprocity, mutual benefit, understanding and respect;

Have reached the following understandings:

Paragraph I
Aims and Objectives

The Participants will:

1. Encourage the promotion of cultural cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore;
2. Share their experiences in the promotion of culture, arts management, and culture and arts education;
3. Encourage the provision of training opportunities for artists and administrators, and art educators in all aspects of cultural and artistic development;
4. Facilitate the provision of opportunities for artists and such persons as the Participants may consider appropriate to exchange visits and performances;
5. Coordinate the nomination of suitably qualified candidates or organizations for the aforementioned training and performance exchange programmes and, where necessary, identify organizations to coordinate arrangements; and
6. Encourage the development of links and joint programmes between cultural education institutions in the Philippines and Singapore.

Paragraph II
Areas of Cooperation

The Participants will draw up and implement a schedule of projects and activities mutually acceptable to both Participants to achieve the above objectives, where appropriate:

1. Exchange of expertise and collections in the fields of museums, libraries and information science, linguistics, records management and archives, films and audio-visual content, conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible heritage, heritage tourism, and cultural administration, among others;
2. Participation in book fairs and literary festivals in each other’s country;
3. Translation and publication of literary works in each other’s language;
4. Participation in each other’s film festival and co-production of film and other audio-visual content;
5. Exchanges in the distribution and exhibition of audio-visual content (film and television) and other related media;
6. Facilitation of logistical arrangements relevant to film production and multi-media materials;
7. Conduct of trainings, workshops, and seminars related to history, records and archives management;
8. Exchanges in the performing arts, visual art exhibitions, culinary arts, and the creative industry markets; and
9. Other forms of cooperation as may be mutually agreed upon.

Details of any such cooperation may be negotiated directly between the relevant institutions/organizations in each country.

The projects and activities will be reviewed periodically by the Participants to ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of both the projects and activities in relation to the Aims and Objectives of this Programme.

Paragraph III
Implementing Arrangements

For the purpose of implementing this Memorandum of Understanding:

1. Both Participants will appoint focal person/s or agency/ies to identify, formulate, review, implement and monitor projects and activities under this Memorandum of Understanding;
2. Both Participants may enter into specific arrangements to clarify commitments, funding and other matters on mutually agreed projects or activities, under this Memorandum of Understanding;
3. Both Participants may establish working groups or an ad-hoc task force as may be necessary to jumpstart the projects and activities to be undertaken under this Memorandum of Understanding;
4. Both Participants may hold meetings as may be necessary, at any venue mutually agreed upon by the Participants;
5. Each Participant will bear its own local organizing costs and expenses in relation to the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, including but not limited to any travel expenses and any ancillary documentation.
6. The sending Participant shall cover for the international travel costs, including insurance of people and materials to be exchanged, while the receiving Participant shall cover other in-country expenses incurred in organising the visit. For each exchange, details on the number of the members of delegation and/or nature of exchanges/materials, length of visit/activity, complementary events, if any, shall be determined in coordination and mutually agreed upon with concerned organizations/agencies in advance.

Paragraph IV
Confidentiality

All materials, documents, information and other data received during the period of implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding shall not be made available to any third party without prior written consent or authorization of the other Participant. The obligation under this Paragraph does not lapse upon expiration or termination of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Paragraph V
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

Any activities under this Memorandum of Understanding will be conducted in line with the laws and regulations concerning the protection of intellectual property rights in the respective territories of the two countries.

Paragraph VI
Settlement of Disputes

Should there be any divergence or differences in the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding and of the projects or activities undertaken under it, the Participants will settle amicably such divergence or differences through consultation or negotiation between themselves.

Paragraph VII
Amendments

Any amendment or revision to this Memorandum of Understanding will be done by mutual consent of the Participants. Such amendment or revision will come into effect on such date as may be determined by the Participants.

Paragraph VIII
Effectivity and Validity

This Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on the date of its signature. It will be in effect for a period of three (3) years and may be renewed thereafter for a period of three (3) years on the written agreement of both Participants.

Save for Paragraph IV, this Memorandum of Understanding does not create for the Participants any obligation under international or domestic law.

Paragraph IX
Termination

This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated at any time by either Participant giving notice to the other, through diplomatic channels, of its intention to terminate this Memorandum of Understanding with six (6) months’ prior written notice of the intended date of termination.

The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect the validity and duration of any ongoing programs or activities made under it until the completion of such programs or activities in accordance with the provision of this Memorandum of Understanding and will not affect the Participants’ obligations under Paragraph IV.

Signed in Manila, this 9^th day of September 2019 in two originals in the English and Filipino languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any dispute, the English text shall prevail.

Entry into Force: September 9, 2019