INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
Book Writing Seminar-Workshop
Aklan State University
(Banga, Aklan, September 26, 2001)
Ladies and gentlemen. . . . . . .
It is indeed a great honor and pleasure for me to be invited to address the opening of a 3-day seminar-workshop on book writing. I am grateful to my friend Johnny Dayang for extending to me this personal invitation as he encourage me to continue with my mission to focus on book development. I am likewise happy to see my former colleagues notably Governor Isabelo Crisostomo, former governor and now board secretary Atty. Fraulin Peñasales, Director Romy de Guzman and Division Chiefs Terence Servillon, Luz Laserna and Espie Macasaet.
During my incumbency as Chairman of the National Book Development Board, we in the governing board approved, among others, two grand projects which we considered as essential infrastructure for book development.
These are the establishments of a Book Development Academy within the Book City which was formally endorsed by then President Fidel V. Ramos. The succeeding administration under President Joseph Ejercito Estrada approved the National Book Policy and under Implementing Policy No. 2.8, “Training for personnel involved in publishing shall be conducted,” and Implementing Policy No. 3.4 “A Book Development Academy with links to TESDA, DTI and State Colleges and Universities and the private sector shall be established,”
While the academy will undertake the continuing development of the human resources, the book city will provide the necessary infrastructure where the Philippine books shall be manufactured, showcased and sold. It shall likewise provide suitable venues for training, research, book conferences and business meetings of stakeholders. These two projects, however, may require substantial financial resources though we are optimistic that the realization may take place in the immediate future.
In fact, under Implementing Policy No. 2.1, “The book publishing industry shall be permanently recognized as a priority investment area in the Philippines,” Implementing Policy No. 1.1 which states that new writers/authors shall be developed, and or skills of writers/authors upgraded; Implementing Policy No 1.2 which states that book development on Philippine literature, heritage, and creative arts, etc. will be encourage and supported; Implementing Policy No. 1.3 which states that the publication of books in English and local languages shall be encouraged; Implementing Policy No.1.4 which states the Filipino authorship of scientific and technical books shall be promoted; the translation of foreign-authored books to local languages shall be encourage; Implementing Policy No. 1.6 which states the linkages with universities at the regional level shall be institutionalized for the purpose of training and assisting students and authors in developing in manuscripts that will have local character and be reflective of the experience of the local population; Implementing Policy No 1.8 which states that incentives shall be given to outstanding contributors to book development in the form of awards, prizes, etc.; Implementing Policy No. 1.9 which states that a book development fund for authors and other personnel in the book publishing industry shall be established; Implementing Policy No. 1.10 which states that the information of associations of authors shall be encourage to effectively protect their interest and spur the growth and literary creations.; have a strong and biased preferences for regional and provincial publishing.
In the meantime, however, the academy shall proceed as an academy-on-wheels. It means that the designed training courses may be conducted in the different places where there exist a need for trained personnel. This academy shall offer a curriculum that shall correspond to the different places and aspects of book publishing, printing, marketing, warehousing and distribution, credit management, accounting and financing, and overall publishing management.
We should all be thankful for the efforts exerted by Governor Dayang as PAPI President in soliciting from the President’s Social Fund in order that financial resources be made available to the Board so that is noble projects as the once taking place in the different regions can be successfully conducted. The development of good authors and the training of a new generation of writers are but the initial steps to the development of the book publishing industry.
The real growth, however, can be measured by the size of the market. The readers comprise the market. A big market creates a big demand in authorships. It is for this reason that the NBDB sponsored by the creation of the Book Exporters Association of the Philippine (BEAP) to expand the market of the local publications beyond the Philippine shores. The Association, I believe has made breakthroughs by initially tapping the Filipino communities in the different parts of the world.
I would like to take note, however, with regret that we fail this year to provide representation and book exhibition to the Frankfurt Bookfair the Philippines through the NBDB has gained through the years meaningful international exposure.
We must recall that in the mid-80’s the Philippines was only producing about 220 book titles annually. In 1993, the yearly local production of books had insignificantly increased to about 615 titles. We were known to have the least production of books titles all over the world. In 1999 or 3 to 4 years after the NBDB was created by R.A. No. 8047 or the Book Publishing Industry Development Act, the Philippine book titles produced reached the 5,000 level. Part of the credit, I humbly submit, can e attributed to the advocacy of the NBDB and to the training programs being offered for free since 1997.
We admit that development is a long and tedious process. But now that we have gained momentum in the writing of manuscripts, the initiative should not be allowed to dissipate. Government must continue to provide the conducive atmosphere for growth. Policies on adoption and procurement of books must always consider what is best for all regions. The earliest that the market is brought to the regions – the faster would be the development of Philippine book publishing.
There would by then be ample opportunities for our authors in the regions. The past biddings for public school textbooks can never be termed as beneficial to our Filipino authors nor to the Filipino publishers considering that the bulk of the textbooks will be provided by the foreign publishers.
The policy of bidding must be restudied by DECS. It is inimical to the local book publishing industry as well as to the local paper manufacturing industry because the paper specification is only obtainable in the foreign markets. Thus we use our meager dollar resources to bring in this kind of paper and the taxes and duties are waived. Hopefully, this matter could be remedied in order to create the conducive climate for development.
I am happy therefore to take note that once more, through the advocacy of NBDB on principal empowerment, the same is clearly embedded under R.A. No. 9155. This law is an affirmation of Implementing Policy No. 5.5 par. 3 which states that “ School principals or equivalent officials shall be empowered to determined which books shall be purchased and used for their respective schools.”
This book writing seminar-workshop should be continued by NBDB until time such that we have fully develop a new generation of book writers on all fields throughout the country. Eventually, however, with the permission of CHED, we should consider including in the graduate schools curriculum subjects of book writing and perhaps even require all the graduate students to write a manuscript instead of a thesis. This will surely contribute immensely to the growth of the book publishing industry in the Philippines.
The book writing project must be complemented by the drive on readership. We know too well that without readers, there would be no market. Without a market, there is no incentive to the author. It takes time to prepare good manuscript, just as it takes time to generate or renew the reading interest of the public. It is proper therefore that both activities, book writing, and book reading be given equal and simultaneous attention by the government and the private sectors.
It is in this light that we congratulate once more the leadership of Gov. Dayang for spreading the Mass Movement for Readership in the Philippines.
In closing therefore, I leave you the challenge. You have been chosen from among your peers because you have the potential for writing. You can share your thoughts, your talents and your expertise to the new generation of the Filipinos you can use your pen to mold the minds of the Filipinos and to shape their future in this world. On behalf of the book publishers, let us join our hands in partnership and ensure the growth of the book publishing industry and make available to the Filipinos adequate, affordable and accessible quality books.
Thank you and good day.