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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 14 provides that “the State recognizes the 
role of women in nation-building.’’ 
This bill proposes to contribute to this State policy by creating a National 
Museum for Women. 
Inarguably, Filipino women have made significant contributions to the political, 
cultural, social and economic life of Philippine society. Despite this precious legacy of 
achievements, however, there is no collective repository for their valuable materials and 
relics. 
This Museum shall serve as a permanent showcase of the women’s valuable 
achievements; the public will have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from their 
contributions to art, science, spiritual life, business, social movements and other 
important areas. The Museum will have the potential to highlight the struggle of women 
to achieve full emancipation and other human rights, including the struggle to obtain the 
right to vote and hold public office. It will be a promising venue to educate its audience 
on the obstacles that women had to overcome in order to be recognized as equals of men. 
This Museum shall be devoted to celebrating the evolving role of Filipino women 
and the events that have become part of our national history and heritage. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. No. 
"N[$Tfa 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR WOMEN, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as "National Museum for 
Women Act of 2007." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the constitutional 
mandate to promote and advance the welfare and development of women, the 
Government recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the 
fundamental equality of women and men before the law. 
SECTION 3. Establishment of the National Museum for Women. - To carry out 
the purposes of this Act, a National Museum for Women is hereby established. The 
Museum shall have the status and category of a national agency attached to the 
Department of Education. 
SECTION 4. Objectives ofthe Museum. - The primary objective of the Museum 
is to provide a repository for precious materials and other memorable objects of honored 
women in Philippine history, which shall consequently become part of the national 
cultural heritage. It shall also serve as the center for education and sauce of information 
on the experiences of women in various historical periods thereby encouraging 
involvement and support for women's cause. 
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SECTION 5. Functions ofthe Museum. - The Museum shall have the following 
functions: 
(a) Acquire, collect, preserve, maintain, and administer cultural materials, objects 
of art, archaeological artifacts, refics, and other historical materials which signify the 
contribution of Filipino women to Philippine development; 
(b) Conduct researches on Filipino women, prepare publications, manuscripts, 
scientific papers, and maintain a reference collection on the same; 
(c) Gather, identify, reconstruct, restore, and maintain a national reference 
collection on information about women, study archaeological artifacts, and deduce 
archaeological interpretation; 
(d) Plan and organize library services, guided tours, lectures, seminars, symposia 
or workshops; and 
(e) Secure and receive bilateral and international grants and endowments to 
support its programs and projects that promote and advance women's interests. 
SECTION 6. Composition of the Commission. - To carry out the objectives of 
this Act, the National Museum for Women, attached to the Department of Education, 
shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by the President from the private sector. 
SECTION 7. Tax Exemption. - The National Museum for Women shall be 
exempted from paying import taxes or tariff duties 011 all display materials and 
equipment, including but not limited to, books, art materials, chemicals for preservation 
and restoration, exhibit equipment, and films. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or 
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accordingly. 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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SECTION I O .  Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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