GAMABA stands for Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasures Award, it was institutionalized in April 1992 through the Republic Act No. 7355, which states that "An act providing for the recognition of national living treasures, otherwise known as the Manlilikha ng Bayan, and the promotion and development of traditional folk arts, providing funds therefor, and for other purposes."

 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts was assigned to administer and implement the mentioned award. The NCCA is known as the overall policy-making body, which then coordinates and grants agencies in the context of the preservation, development, and promotion of Philippine arts and culture.