National Museum Philippines Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) JUL 14 A11 :38 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda PRESERVING THE COUNTRY'S TRADIONAL FOLK ARTS AS PART OF ITS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11333, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 11333, otherwise known as the "National Museum of the Philippines Act," was enacted on April 26, 2019. Through this law, the National Museum of the Philippines was designated as the primary institution tasked with managing and developing museums and collections that hold national significance in the fields of arts, cultural heritage, and natural history. It likewise envisions stronger regional, area, and site museums, as well as satellite offices, by expanding the National Museum's presence and services to reach all regions of the country. In doing so, local museums can serve as key cultural and educational centers that enrich communities and attract both residents and tourists. R.A. No. 11333 has strengthened our national commitment to preserving our heritage. Yet if we are to ensure that generations of young Filipinos continue to value and understand our country's rich history and cultural identity, we must also focus on sustaining and promoting our traditional folk arts - an essential part of who we are. Over the years, the Philippines has demonstrated its commitment to preserving and passing down cultural knowledge through its traditional folk arts, the Manlilikha ng Bayan program, and the Schools of Living Tradition - all of which reflect the approach

of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in transmitting intangible heritage from one generation to the next. Recent trends show that more Filipinos and tourists are embracing opportunities to engage with our cultural institutions. In 2023 alone, the 19 museums under the National Museum of the Philippines recorded a combined total of 2.79 million visitors nationwide.' Notably, as of June 20, 2025, all museums under the National Museum of the Philippines have already welcomed 2,376,585 visitors nationwide, demonstrating an even stronger and growing public interest in our museums and cultural spaces. This continued surge in visitor numbers underscores the crucial role our museums play in fostering cultural pride, awareness, and education. This bill therefore aims to build on this momentum by mandating regional museums to play a stronger role in conserving and promoting our traditional folk arts. Reinforcing this function will allow the National Museum to carry out its mandate more effectively, developing regional museums into dynamic learning centers that highlight every aspect of the Filipino people's artistic, cultural, and natural heritage. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. - LOREN LEGARDA 'https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/why-museums-each-local-government-unit- important/

SPIT After off: S CT: " TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 14 A11:38 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVCD 2' S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PRESERVING THE COUNTRY'S TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS AS PART OF ITS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11333, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11333, otherwise known as the

"National Museum Philippines Act", is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 10. Central Museums. - The central museums of the National Museum shall include the existing National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History and the National Planetarium. The National Museum shall also take steps towards the establishment of central museums dedicated to archaeology, TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS, maritime and underwater cultural heritage, architectural arts and built heritage, and political and social history, which may be established within its National Museum Complex or elsewhere within the National Capital Region as appropriate, together with an institute for professional education, training and development in museology and allied fields, and a conservation center for movable cultural properties of national significance."

Sec. 2. Sec. 11 of R.A. No. 11333 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 11. Regional, Area, and Site Museums and Satellite Offices. - The National Museum shall maintain its existing regional, area and site museums and satellite offices and, if none exists, take steps towards establishing a regional museum and satellite office in each administrative region of the Philippines beyond the National Capital Region, as well as area and site museums and offices wherever necessary: Provided, That MUSEUM BRANCHES WITH TEN (10) OR MORE PERSONNEL AND/OR HIGH PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY OR CULTURAL VALUE SHALL BE UPGRADED TO REGIONAL MUSEUMS UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT such regional network of the National Museum shall be coordinated with that of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other relevant cultural agencies to prevent institutional duplication. THE REGIONAL MUSEUMS SHALL SERVE AS INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTERS OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE AND SUBSTANTIAL COLLECTION OF LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS, OBJECTS OF ART, TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS, AND OTHER LOCAL CULTURAL TREASURES, AND SHALL, IN COORDINATION WITH THE NCCA, SPEARHEAD THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, AND PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE SCHOOLS OF LIVING TRADITION FOUND WITHIN THEIR LOCALITIES. The specific sites of new regional, area and site museums and satellite offices shall be selected based on considerations of geography, population distribution, and

1 administrative efficiency as well as of outstanding national artistic, cultural and natural heritage significance, and educational, environmental and tourism considerations."

Sec. 3. A new Section 13 of R.A. No. 11333 is hereby inserted to read as follows

and the succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly: "SEC. 13. Creation of Traditional Folk Arts Museums. - THE NATIONAL MUSEUM SHALL FACILITATE THE CREATION OF TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS MUSEUMS IN SELECT PROVINCES: PROVIDED, THAT THESE PROVINCES SHALL BEAR THE FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SUCH FACILITIES: PROVIDED FURTHER, I1 THAT THESE TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS MUSEUMS SHALL BE DIRECTLY MANAGED AND SUPERVISED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PROVINCES WITH ASSISTANCE FROM AN ADVISORY PANEL COMPOSED OF PERSONNEL FROM THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS."

Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section or provision

17 of this Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts, sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,