TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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25 JUL 14 All 38
SENATE
510
RECEIVkO t-
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
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.1 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.
OREN LEGARDA
1 https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/whv-museunns-each-local-qovernment-unit-
important/


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
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of f 1-' ft fi:-
25 JUL 14 All 38
RfCEiVCD OV'
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."


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Sec. 2. Sec. 11 of R.A. No. 11333 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 11. Regional, Area, and Site Museums and
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Satellite Offices. - The National Museum shall maintain its
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existing regional, area and site museums and satellite offices
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and, if none exists, take steps towards establishing a regional
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museum and satellite office in each administrative region of the
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Philippines beyond the National Capital Region, as well as area
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and site museums and offices wherever necessary: Provided,
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That MUSEUM BRANCHES WITH TEN (10) OR MORE
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PERSONNEL AND/OR HIGH PROPERTY
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ACCOUNTABILITY OR CULTURAL VALUE SHALL BE
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UPGRADED TO REGIONAL MUSEUMS UPON
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RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF
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THE NATIONAL MUSEUM: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT
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such regional network of the National Museum shall be
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coordinated with that of the National Historical Commission of
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the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
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(NCCA), and other relevant cultural agencies to prevent
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institutional duplication.
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THE REGIONAL MUSEUMS SHALL SERVE AS
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INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTERS OFFERING
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COMPREHENSIVE AND SUBSTANTIAL COLLECTION OF
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LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS, OBJECTS OF ART,
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TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS, AND OTHER LOCAL
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CULTURAL TREASURES, AND SHALL, IN COORDINATION
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WITH THE NCCA, SPEARHEAD THE CONSERVATION,
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PRESERVATION, AND PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL
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HERITAGE OF THE SCHOOLS OF LIVING TRADITION
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FOUND WITHIN THEIR LOCALITIES.
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The specific sites of new regional, area and site museums and satellite offices
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shall be selected based on considerations of geography, population distribution, and


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administrative efficiency as well as of outstanding national artistic, cultural and natural
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heritage significance, and educational, environmental and tourism considerations."
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Sec. 3. A new Section 13 of R.A. No. 11333 is hereby inserted to read as follows
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and the succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
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"SEC. 13. Creation of Traditional Folk Arts Museums. -
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THE NATIONAL MUSEUM SHALL FACILITATE THE CREATION
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OF TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS MUSEUMS IN SELECT
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PROVINCES: PROVIDED, THAT THESE PROVINCES SHALL
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BEAR THE FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND
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MAINTENANCE OF SUCH FACILITIES: PROVIDED FURTHER,
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THAT THESE TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS MUSEUMS SHALL BE
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DIRECTLY MANAGED AND SUPERVISED BY THEIR
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RESPECTIVE PROVINCES WITH ASSISTANCE FROM AN
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ADVISORY PANEL COMPOSED OF PERSONNEL FROM THE
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REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS."
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section or provision
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of this Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts, sections or
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provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
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general circulation.
Approved,