The ultimate goal of the National Living Treasures Award is to pay tribute and provide assistance to our nation's traditional artisans while safeguarding their unique abilities and crafts. This accolade is coupled with a program that ensures the transfer of their craft to future generations and the advocacy of their work both domestically and internationally. The official acknowledgement of these remarkable contributions to our socio-cultural heritage was enshrined into law in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7335, known as the Manlilikha ng Bayan Act. 

Beneath the award emblem lies the phrase "Manlilika ng Bayan" written in Baybayin, an ancient script utilized in the Philippines during the 16th century.