Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3399 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FILIPINO WOMEN AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Filipino women have played invaluable roles throughout Philippine 
history in its plight for freedom against colonizers as well as in fighting 
modern-day injustices in society. Filipino women have long recognized the 
intersectionality of struggles and have advocated for social justice alongside 
gender equality and human rights. 
While the contributions of Filipino heroines are taught in history classes 
in basic education, classic textbooks are often devoted to the typical hero mold 
of machismo and valor. This leaves the Filipino heroines mostly clustered in 
one section despite having fought the same war as their male counterparts.  
Current legislation of the State such as Republic Act 8492 or the 
National Museum Act of 1998 and RA 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage 
Act of 2009 however intended to pursue and support the cultural development 
of people through the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of 
Filipino culture, also do not put as much emphasis on the role of females in 
historic and contemporary eras.  
With the goal of highlighting women’s roles and contributions to society, 
this bill seeks the establishment of a national museum dedicated to the 
protection, preservation, presentation and promotion of historical and social 
and archaeological legacies of Filipinas all throughout history.  
The national museum shall serve as a medium to showcase the active 
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involvement of women in the economic, social, political, and cultural life of the 
nation as well as a major opportunity to re-appraise the role that women play 
in shaping contemporary societies. 
This bill has been approved on third and final reading in the House of 
Representatives during the 18th Congress, but has unfortunately failed to be 
enacted into law. Recognizing the merits of this important legislation for 
gender equality, the same version that has been approved by this august 
chamber is hereby refiled in the 20th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3399 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FILIPINO WOMEN AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "National Museum 
of Filipino Women Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to:  
a)
Acknowledge the remarkable contributions of women to economic
progress and nation-building and the preservation and
promotion of the Filipino way of life;
b)
Celebrate women whose various individual and collective actions
significantly advanced the national effort to conquer inequality,
discrimination, and deprivation;
c)
Raise awareness of and build an appreciation of history and the
role that women have played in its making;
d)
Honor the heroism of women who played a significant role in the
national struggle against colonialism and foreign invasion;
e)
Commemorate modern-day heroines and women martyrs who
struggled against injustice, oppression, and exploitation,
especially during the Martial Law era in the Philippines;
f)
Acknowledge the suffering borne by women who were coerced
into sexual slavery during World War II and support their call for
reparation and justice; and
g)
Honor individual women, including women and girls with
disabilities, whose specific achievements have caused a positive
impact on and enriched all aspects of Filipino life.


 
 
SECTION 3. Creation of the National Museum of Filipino Women. – To 
carry out the above policy, the National Museum of Filipino Women is hereby 
created and established under the administration and supervision of the 
Philippine Commission on Women. 
 
SECTION 4. Organization, Operation and Administration. – The 
Philippine Commission on Women shall, in coordination with the Department 
of Budget and Management, determine the organizational structure and 
operational requirements of the National Museum of Filipino Women, and 
ensure that consultative mechanisms are integrated into its institutional 
planning and development. 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) 
days after the approval of this Act, the Philippine Commission on Women 
shall, in consultation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 
National Museum of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the 
Philippines, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Higher 
Education, Department of Education and at least three (3) women’s and civil 
society organizations, formulate rules and regulations as may be necessary 
for its proper implementation. 
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the immediate 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If for any reason, a provision or section 
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other sections or provisions 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations and other issuance or parts thereof, 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,