FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF‘ THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
. SENATE 
S. B. No. 
66 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The Philippines is blessed with rich resources and heritage. It is sad 
to note that in spite of this comparative advantage; the Philippines’ share 
of the tourist market is negligible compared to its Asian neighbors. 
The eco-tourism we have aggressively promoted has suffered a 
backlash from negative publicity, brought about by security threats and 
recent kidnapping incidents of foreign nationals. We have forgotten that 
the Philippines has much to offer than beautiful beaches and resorts. 
It is time to present the rich cultural heritage of the country 
through the promotion and preservation of our cultural heritage sites. 
However, much of these important and irreplaceable structures have 
given way to modernization and commercialization, and its rich repository 
of our culture is literally becoming a thing of the past. 
Present day conservation efforts of the government have been 
inadequate to forestall the deterioration of this country’s heritage. It is 
therefore imperative, to take serious action in preserving our cultural 
treasures. 
Bearing in mind existing realities of fiscal discipline and austerity 
measures being made by the government, preservation seems an 
ambitious and impractical proposition. What we fail to see is that by 
developing this aspect, we can tap new markets and create ripple-like 
opportunities that would generate income and employment for our people. 
More importantly, knowing our heritage would serve as an anchor 
amidst the chaos that modernization brings. By preserving our heritage, 
we keep our integrity as a people, for our heritage is a foundation upon 
which we can build our present, as well as our future. Heritage plays an 
important role in national destiny, only by knowing our collective strength 
as a people can we be prepared to meet by challenges posed by 
globalization. 
Investing in the preservation of our heritage would prevent cultural 
bankruptcy in the future. It is therefore in the public interest to preserve 
our heritage so that its vital legacy will be maintained and enriched for 
L 
future generations. 


For these reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
bPc4A 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Senator 


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3 ; 
'9, 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND 
CONSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE, 
STRENGTHENING THE 
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA), 
AND ITS AFFILIATED CULTURAL AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
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 
Cultural Heritage Act of 2007." 
ARTICLE I 
POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. Sections 14, 
15, and 16, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution declares that the State shall 
foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino 
culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic 
and intellectual expression. It shall conserve, promote and popularize the 
nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic 
creations. Further, all the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes 
the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the 
State, which may regulate its disposition. 
In the pursuit of cultural preservation as a strategy for maintaining 
Filipino identity, this Act shall pursue the following objectives: 
(a) Protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation's cultural 
heritage, its property and histories, and the ethnicity of local 
communities; 
(b) Establish and strengthen cultural institutions; and 
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and 
well- being. 
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ARTICLE I1 
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DEFINITION OF TERMS 
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integrity; 
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ceased; 
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(d) “Archaeological Area” refers to any place, whether above or 
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under ground, underwater or at sea level, containing fossils, 
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artifacts, and other cultural, geological, botanical, zoological 
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materials which 
depict 
and document 
culturally relevant 
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(e) “Built Heritage” refers to architectural structures, such as but not 
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limited to, buildings, houses of ancestry, traditional dwellings, 
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technological and industrial complexes, and their settings, with 
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notable historical and cultural significance; 
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and the Arts (NCAA) 
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(h) “Conservation” refers to all the processes and measures of 
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maintaining the cultural significance of a cultural property, 
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including 
but 
not 
limited 
to, 
preservation, 
restoration, 
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concepts and processes; 
(c) Protect cultural workers and ensure their professional development 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms shall be defined as follows: 
(a) “Adaptive Re-use” refers to the utilization of buildings and sites 
of value for a purpose different from that for which it was intended 
originally, in order to conserve the site especially its architectural 
(b) “Anthropological Area” refers to any place where studies of 
specific ethno- linguistic groups are undertaken, the properties of 
which are of value to our cultural heritage; 
(c) “Antique” refers to a cultural property found locally which i s one 
hundred years in age, more or less, the production of which has 
paleontological, prehistoric and I or historic events; 
(f) “Collector” refers to any person who or institution that acquires 
cultural property for purposes other than sale; 
(g) “Commission” shall refer to the National Commission for Culture 
reconstruction, adaptation or any combination, thereof; 
(i) “Cultural Education” is the teaching and learning of cultural 
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(i) "Cultural Heritage" refers to the totality of cultural property 
preserved and developed through time and passed on to posterity; 
(k) "Cultural Heritage Worker" is an individual undertaking 
cultural heritage work; 
(1) Wultural Institution" refers to entities engaged primarily in 
cultural work; 
(m) "Cultural Property?' refers to all products of human creativity by 
which a people and a nation reveal their identity, including natural 
history specimens and sites, whether public or privately-owned, 
movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible; 
1) "Tangible Cultural Property" refers to a cultural property 
with historical, archival, anthropological, archaeological, artistic 
and architectural value, and with exceptional or traditional 
production, whether of Philippine -origin or not, including 
antiques and natural history specimens with significant value; 
and 
2) "Intangible Cultural Property" refers to the peoples' learned 
processes along with the knowledge, skills and creativity that 
inform and are developed by them, the products they create and 
the resources, spaces and other aspects of social and natural 
context necessary for their sustainability . 
(n) "Dealers" refers to natural or juridical persons who acquire 
cultural property for the purpose of engaging in the acquisition and 
disposition of the same; 
(0) "Heritage 
Zone" 
"refers 
to 
historical, 
anthropological, 
archaeological, artistic geographical areas and settings that are 
culturally significant to the country or a particular locality; 
(p) "History" ig a record of past events relating to political arid social 
development; 
(q) "Historical Landmarks" refer to sites or structures that are 
associated with events or achievements significant to Philippine 
History; 
(r) "Historical Monuments" refer to structures that honor illustrious 
persons or commemorate events of historical value; 
(s) "Historical Shrines" refer to historical sites or structures hallowed 
and revered for their history or association; 
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(t) "Important Cultural Property" refers to a cultural property 
having exceptional cultural significance to the Philippines, but is 
not sufficiently outstanding to merit the classification of "national 
cultural treasures;" 
(u) "Intangible Cultural Heritage" (IC") refers to the practices, 
representations, expressions, knowledge, skills - as well as the 
instruments, objects and artifacts associated therewith - that 
communities, groups and individuals recognize as part of their 
cultural heritage, such as a) oral traditions languages, and 
expressions; b) performing arts; c) social practices, rituals and 
festive events; d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and 
the universe; and e) traditional craftsmanship; 
(v) "Library" refers to an institution where the collection of books, 
manuscripts, computerized information, and other materials are 
organized to provide physical, bibliographic, and / or intellectual 
access to the public, with a librarian that is trained to provide 
services and programs related to the information needs of its 
clientele; 
(w) "Museum" refers to a permanent institution that researches, 
acquires, conserves, communicates and exhibits the material 
evidence of humans and their environment for purposes of 
education or leisure; 
(x) "National Cultural Treasure" refers to a unique cultural 
property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, 
artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and 
important to the country and nation, and officially declared as such 
by pertinent cultural agency; 
(y) "Natural Property of Cultural Significance" are areas 
possessing outstanding ecosystem with flora and fauna of national 
scientific importance under the National Integrated Protected 
Areas System (NIPAS); 
(z) "Pre-history" is the period of human history before the 
introduction of the forms of writing; 
(aa) "Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP)" refers 
to the registry of all cultural property of the country deemed of 
significant importance to our cultural heritage; and 
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(bb) "Restoration" refers to the returning of the existing fabric of a 
place, artifacts and ecofacts to a known or earlier state by removing 
accretions 
inconsistent 
with 
historical progression 
or 
by 
reassembling existing components without the introduction of new 
materials. 
ARTICLE 111 
CULTURAL PROPERTY 
SECTION 4. Categories. The Cultural Property of the country shall 
be categorized as follows: 
(a) National Cultural Treasures (NCT); 
(b) Important Cultural Property (ICE'); 
(c) World Heritage Sites (WEIS); 
(d) Autonomous / Administrative Region Cultural Property; 
(e) Provincial Cultural Property; 
(f) City / Municipal Cultural Property; and 
(g) Barangay Cultural Property. 
SECTION 5. Cultural Property presumed as Important Cultural 
Property. For purposes of protecting cultural property against exportation, 
modification or demolition, the following works shall be presumed Important 
Cultural Property, unless declared otherwise by the pertinent cultural 
agency: 
(a) Works by a Manlilikha ng Bayan; 
(b) Works by a National Artist; 
(c) Archaeological and traditional ethnographic materials; 
(d) Works of national heroes; and 
(e) Structures dating at least seventy (70) years old. 
To avail of the privileges of an ICP, the owner must secure a 
declaration from the appropriate cultural agency. Consequently, the owner 
may petition the appropriate cultural agency to remove the presumption of 
ICP. 
SECTION 6. World Heritage Sites (WHS). The WHS in the 
Philippines shall be under the jurisdiction of the Commission, which shall 
have the power to regulate and supervise its conservation. 
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SECTION 7. Privileges for Cultural Property. A l l  culturaI 
properties declared as National Cultural Treasures shall be entitled to the 
following privileges: 
(a) Priority government funding for protection, conservation and 
restoration; 
(b) Incentive for private support of conservation and restoration 
through the Commission's Conservation Incentive Program for 
National Cultural Property; 
(c) An official Heritage Marker placed by the cultural agency concerned 
indicating that the immovable cultural property has been 
identified as 
NCT; and 
(d) In times of armed conflict, natural disasters, or other exceptional 
events that endanger the cultural heritage of the country, all 
National Cultural Treasures shall be given priority protection by 
the Government. 
All cultural properties declared as Important Cultural Property may 
also receive government funding for its protection, conservation, and 
restoration. An official Heritage Marker shall likewise be placed on an 
immovable cultural property to identify the same as ICP. 
SECTION 8. Procedure for Declaration, or De-Listing of 
National Cultural Treasures or Important Cultural Property, The 
procedure in declaring as well as the delisting of a National Cultural 
Property or an Important Cultural Property shall be as follows: 
(a) A declaration or a delisting of a cultural property as a National 
Cultural Treasure or an Important Cultural Property shall 
commence upon the filing of a petition by the owner, stakeholder or 
any interested person, with the Commission, which shall refer the 
matter to the appropriate cultural agency; 
(b) Upon verification of the suitability of the property as an NCT or an 
ICP, the cultural agency concerned shall send notice of hearing to 
the owner and stakeholders. Stakeholders, including but not limit e 
d to local government units, local culture and arts council, local 
tourism councils, non-government conservation organizations, and 
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schools, may be allowed to file their support or opposition to the 
petition. 
(e) The owner and / or other stakeholders shall file their position 
papers within fifteen (15) days. Extensions may be allowed, but in 
no case shall it exceed more than thirty (30) days. 
(d) The petitioner shall give their reply within fifteen (15) days upon 
receipt of any opposition to the petition. Oppositor/s shall likewise 
be given the same amount of time to respond to the said reply. 
Thereafter, no further submissions shall be allowed. 
(e) The appropriate cultural agency shall have a maximum of ninety 
(90) days within which to submit its recommendation before the 
Commission. Thereafter, the Commission shall render its decision 
on the application. 
SECTION 9. Right of First Refusal on the sale of National 
Cultural Treasures (NCT). The Commission shall be given the right of first 
refusal in the purchase of cultural properties declared as NCT. Prior to the 
finality of the sale, the Commission may likewise match any offer made for 
the purchase of an NCT. 
ARTICLE IV 
HERITAGE ZONES 
SECTION 10. Designation of Heritage Zones. The Commission, in 
coordination with the National Historical Institute, the Housing and Land 
Use Regulatory Board (BLURB) and the local government unit concerned, 
shall designate Heritage Zones to protect the historical and cultural integrity 
of a geographical area. 
SECTION 11. Maintenance of Heritage Zones. A Heritage Zone 
shall be maintained by the local government unit Concerned, in accordance 
with the following guidelines: 
(a) Implementation of adaptive re-use of cultural property; 
@) Appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, and natural 
bodies of water, canals, paths and Barangays within a Historical 
Zone shall be maintained as close to their appearance at the time 
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the area was of most importance to Philippine History as 
determined by the National Historical Institute; and 
(c) Local government units shall document and sustain all socio- 
cultural practices such as but not Iimited 
to traditional 
celebrations, historical battles, recreation of customs, and the re- 
enactment of battles and other local customs that are unique to a 
Historical Zone. 
SECTION 12. Documentation of Traditional and Contemporary 
Arts. Local government units shall document traditional and contemporary 
arts and crafts, including their processes and makers, and sustain the 
sources of their raw materials. The local government units shall encourage 
and sustain traditional arts and crafts as active and viable sources of income 
for the community. 
The Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry, the 
Department of Tourism and other government agencies involved directly or 
indirectly in the production of goods shall assist the local government units in 
protecting their traditional and contemporary arts and crafts making them 
viable for current and future markets, with a view to encouraging and 
promoting the unique heritage and identities of the said communities. 
The LGU concerned shall submit an annual inventory of these 
documentations to the Commission, which will be included in the Philippine 
Registry of Cultural Property, as established in succeeding Section of this 
Act. 
ARTICLE V 
REGISTRATION AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY 
SECTION 13. Establishment of a Philippine Registry of Cultural 
Properly. All cultural property of the country deemed of significant 
importance for the cultural heritage shall be registered in the Philippine 
Registry of Cultural Property (hereafter referred to as “Registry‘y. 
The Commission, through the appropriate cultural agencies and local 
government units, s 1 d 1 establish and maintain this Registry within three 
(3) years from the effectivity of this Act. The guidelines in the registration of 
cultural property are as follows: 
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(a) All cultural agencies concerned shall maintain an inventory, 
evaluation and documentation of all cuIturaI properties it has 
declared according to their category and shall submit the same to 
the Commission; 
For cultural property declared as Immovable Cultural 
Property, the appropriate cultural agency -shall, after registration, 
give due notice to the Registry of Deeds 'having jurisdiction for 
annotation on the land titles pertaining to the same. 
(b) Local government units, through their cultural offices, shall 
likewise maintain an inventory of cultural property under its 
jurisdiction and shall furnish the Commission a copy of the same; 
(c) Both cultural agencies concerned and local government units shall 
continuously coordinate in making entries and monitoring, the 
various cultural properties in their respective inventory; 
(d) All government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned 
and / or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, including 
public and private educational institutions, shall report their 
ownership and / or possession of such items to the pertinent 
cultural agency and shall register such properties within three (3) 
years from the effectivity of this Act. 
(e) Private collectors and 'owners of cultural property shall register 
such properties, within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
The private collectors and owners of cultural property shall not be 
divested of their possession and ownership thereof even after 
registration of said property as herein required. They shall continue 
to 'use and enjoy such property for lawful purposes. The use of said 
property in any manner contrary to law or inimical to the national 
interest or state policy as declared in this Act shall be governed by 
the pertinent provisions of t,his law. 
Information on cultural properties owned by private 
individuals may be given only upon prior consent of the private 
owner. The Commission shall operate the Registry in the form of an 
electronic database and shall publish the same in its official 
website. 
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SECTION 14. Conseruation of Cultural Property. All measures on 
conservation of National Cultural Treasures, Important Cultural Property, 
Autonomous / Administrative Region Cultural Property, Provincial Cultural 
Property, City/ Municipal Cultural Property and Barangay Cultural Property 
shall be undertaken only upon prior approval of the Commission through the 
appropriate cultural agency which shall supervise the same; 
The Commission shall approve only those methods and materials that 
strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation. 
SECTION 15. Power to issue a Cease and Desist Order (COO). 
When the physical integrity of the NCTs or ICPs are found to be in danger of 
destruction or modification from its original state, the Commission, through 
the appropriate cultural agency, shall immediately issue a Cease and Desist 
Order suspending all activities that will affect the cultural property. The 
local government unit which has the jurisdiction over the site where the 
immovable cultural property is located shall report the same to the 
Commission immediately upon discovery and shall promptly adopt measures 
to secure the integrity of such immovable cultural property. The suspension 
of the activities shall be lifted only upon the written authority of the 
appropriate cultural agency after due notice and hearing involving as may of 
the interested parties and stakeholders as possible. 
SECTION 16. Power to issue Compulsory Repair Order (CRO). 
When a privately-owned heritage site cannot be maintained by the owner or 
has fallen into disrepair thru neglect to such an extent that it will lose its 
potential for conservation, the Commission, through the appropriate cultural 
agency, may serve on the owner or occupant of such property, an order to 
repair or maintain such site. If the owner fails to comply with said order 
within 30 to 45 days, repairs may be undertaken by the Commission for the 
account of the owner. If said owner fails to reimburse the Commission, the 
property or portions thereof shall be forfeited in its favor in accordance with 
the amount spent for the repair after computing interest thereon. 
SECTION 17. Heritage Agreements. The Commission, upon advice 
of the concerned cultural agency, may enter into agreements with private 
owners of cultural properties with regard to the preservation of said property. 
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Such agreement shall be in the form of a contract, and may include 
such terms and conditions including, but not limited to: 
(a) Public access to the property; 
(b) Value of the encumbrance; 
(c) Duration of the servitude of the property; 
(d) Restriction of the right of the owner or occupant to perform acts on 
or near the place; 
(e) Maintenance and management of the property; 
(0 Provision of financial assistance for the conservation of the property; 
(g) Procedure for the resolution of any dispute arising out of the 
agreement. 
Such agreement should vie annotated in the land title to bind future 
owners and / or occupants of the Immovable cultural property. 
ARTICLE VI 
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE 
SECTION 18. National Inventory of Intangible Cultural 
Heritage. The Commission shall undertake a national inventory of the 
country's intangible cultural heritage. Pursuant to this objective, it shall 
(1) Coordinate all efforts of government and private agencies that have 
forms of intangible cultural heritage in making the national 
inventory and working toward the safeguarding of these forms of 
heritage; and 
(2) Undertake the responsibilities pertaining to the Philippines as 
provided for by Articles 11 to 15 of UNESCO Convention for the 
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. 
SECTION 19. Anthropological Research and Archaeological 
Explorat iorw'Excavation. 
(a) The Commission through the National Museum shall regulate and 
control all anthropological research conducted by foreigners; and all 
archaeological excavation or exploration. Pursuant to the foregoing, 
the Commission shall deputize other agencies to protect 
archaeological and anthropological sites in accordance with Section 
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It shall be guided by the following rules: 
(1) All cultural property found in terrestrial and / or underwater 
archaeological site belong to the State. 
(2) No terrestrial and I or underwater archaeological explorations and 
excavations for the purposes of obtaining materials and data of 
cultural Museum; 
(3) All anthropological researches, for the purpose of obtaining 
materials and data of cultural value and where the principal 
proponent is a foreign national shall be undertaken only with the 
authority, and under the supervision of the Commission through 
National 
Museum; Anthropological 
research 
by 
Philippine 
nationals, especially members of value shall be undertaken without 
the written authority and direct site supervision by archaeologists 
and / or representatives of the National and ordinances; the 
Indigenous communities shall be encouraged; 
(4) Archaeological or anthropological materials presumed as ICP shall 
be allowed to leave the country only upon proper evaluation and 
written permission of the National Museum; 
(5) All explorations and excavations undertaken wherein the caves, 
rock shelters and their vicinities may have been used in the 
prehistoric past by man either for habitation, religious and I or 
sacred and burial purposes all over the country, shall be under the 
direct jurisdiction and supervision of archaeologists andlor other 
experts of the National Museum; 
(6) The provisions of this Heritage Act on explorations and excavations 
of terrestrial and underwater archaeological sites shall supersede 
all 
local, 
municipal, 
regional 
and 
autonomous 
regional 
governments’ resolutions and ordinances; 
(7) All mining activities inside-caves, rock shelters and any such other 
areas shall require a written permit and clearance from the 
National 
Museum. 
An 
appropriate 
prior 
inspection 
by 
representatives of the National Museum, funded by the company 
applying for a mining right, shall be required to ensure that no 
archaeological materials are present and, possibly, destroyed; 
(8) Excavations in caves, rock shelters and other areas by laymen are 
prohibited by this Act. All earth-moving activities in these areas 
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must have the proper permit and clearance from the National 
Museum and monitored by their representatives; and 
(9) All Treasure Hunting remits and Licenses shall be issued by the 
Commission through the National Museum, which shall formulate 
the rules and regulations to adequately control, regulate and 
monitor all applicants for such undertakings. 
(b) When the presence of any cultural property is discovered, the 
Commission, through, the National Museum, shall immediately suspend 
all activities that will affect the site and shall immediately notify the LGU 
having jurisdiction of the place where the discovery was made. The local 
government shall promptly adopt measures to protect and safeguard the 
integrity of the cultural property so discovered and within five (5) days 
from the discovery shall report the same to the appropriate agency. The 
suspension of these activities shall be lifted only upon the written 
authority of the Commission, through the National Museum and only 
after the systematic recovery of the archaeological materials. 
(c) The Commission, through the National Museum, shall provide incentives 
for persons who discover and report heretofore unknown archaeological 
sites, in accordance with its rules and regulations to be promulgated in 
accordance with this Act. 
(d) Any 
government 
or non-government 
infrastructure project 
or 
architectural 
site 
development 
shall 
include 
anthropological, 
archaeological, and historical and heritage site conservation concerns in 
their Environmental Impact Assessment System (EIAS). 
For this purpose, one percent of the total budget of the programlproject 
shall be held in reserve to underwrite the cost of the study, and the project 
proponent shall file with the Commission through the National Museum the 
appurtenant bond guaranteeing the same. 
SECTION 20. Immovable National Cultural Treasures. National 
Cultural Treasures, which are immovable, shall not be relocated, rebuilt, 
defaced or otherwise changed in a manner, which would destroy the 
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property's dignity except to save such property from destruction due to 
natural causes. 
SECTION 21. Indigenous properties. The Commission, in 
coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, shall 
establish a program and promulgate regulations to assist indigenous people 
in preserving their particular cultural and historical properties. 
SECTION 22. Systematic Research in Natural History. The 
National Museum shall have the authority to collect, maintain and develop 
the national reference collections of Philippine flora and fauna, rocks and 
minerals through research and field collection of specimens including 
Important Cultural Property within the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Philippines; and shall be exempt from any and all permit systems regulating 
the same. 
The National Museum shall inform the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and the Palawan Council 
for Sustainable Development of such collection. All type specimens collected 
in the Philippine territory shall be deposited in the National Museum. 
SECTION 23. Renaming of Historical Streets, Buildings 
Designated as Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural Property. No 
historical streets, parks, buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments and sites 
designated as National Cultural Treasures or Important Cultural Property 
shall be renamed except upon written application and approval of the 
National Historical Institute. Consequently, the NHI may direct the local 
government units to restore the original names of historic streets, parks, 
buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments and sites. 
SECTION 24. Visitorial Powers. The cultural agencies concerned, 
through the Commission, are hereby given the power to inspect National 
Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Property at any time to ensure 
the protection and integrity of such. They may also inspect public or private 
collections or objects that may be categorized as cultural property. 
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SECTION 25. Power to Deputize the Philippine National Police 
(PNP), National Bureau of Investigation WJ 
the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard CPCG). The 
cultural agencies concerned, through the Commission, shall deputize local or 
national law enforcement agencies, to enforce the provisions of this Act and 
its implementing rules and regulations. The said agencies shall, upon the 
request of the Commission, immediately detail their respective personnel to 
protect the cultural items under the National Registry. 
SECTION 26. Expropriation. The Commission through the 
appropriate agency may, and after Consultation with the Secretary of 
Finance expropriate property for its conservation or any other purpose under 
this Act. 
ARTICLE VI1 
HERITAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL 
SECTION 27. Creation of a Heritage Advisory Council. The 
Commission, as the lead agency shall create a Heritage Advisory Council 
(hereafter referred to as “Council’3 within its structure. The Council shall 
serve as an Advisory body to the Commission on issues covered by this Act 
and in other matters involving interests relating to cultural heritage. The 
members shall be appointed taking into considerations their qualifications or 
special expertise in fields relevant to cultural heritage resources 
management, protection and conservation. 
In the selection of members, preference shall be given to those who are 
(a) senior citizens whose wisdom and experience in their respective fields 
could still make them active participants in cultural development; and @) 
experts from cultural institutions, whether public or private. The Heritage 
Advisory Council may meet as often as may be required by the commission 
and its members shall be appropriately compensated. 
ARTICLE VI11 
ROLE OF CULTURAL AGENCIES 
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SECTION 28. Responsibilities 
of 
Cultural Agencies for 
Designation of Cultural Property. The cultural agencies, conformably 
with their respective charters, shall define and delineate their respective 
areas of responsibility with respect to cultural property and assessment of 
National Cultural Treasures. These areas shall be subject to periodic re- 
assessment whenever necessary. 
For purposes of this Act, the following shall be the responsibilities of 
cultural agencies in the categorization of cultural property: 
(a) The Cultural Center of the Philippines (“CCP”) shall be responsible 
for cultural property pertaining to the performing arts; 
(b) The Records Management and Archives Office (“RMAO“) shall be 
responsible for archival materials; 
(c) The National Library (“TNL”) shall be responsible for rare and 
contemporary books, manuscripts such as, but not limited to, 
presidential papers, periodicals, newspapers, singly or in collection, 
and libraries and electronic records; 
(d) The National Historical Institute (‘“HI”) shall be responsible for 
movable and immovable cultural property that pertains to 
Philippine Political History with written records; 
(e) The National Museum (“NM”) shall be responsible for movable and 
immovable cultural and natural property of significance that 
pertain to collections of Fine Arts, Archaeology, Anthropology, 
Botany, Geology, Zoology and Astronomy, including conservation 
aspect; and 
(f) The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (“KWF) shall be responsible for 
the propaganda and promotion of a national Filipino language and 
the conservation of ethnic languages; 
SECTION 29. Institutional Linkages of the Commission. The 
Commission shall, in implementing the provisions of this Act, consult, 
coordinate and work closely with the cultural agencies and other national 
government agencies such as: 
(a) The Department of Tourism (DOT) which shall be responsible for 
cultural education among tourism services, and protection of 
cultural property supplemental to the jurisdiction of the cultural 
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agencies as defined in this Act. The implementation and creation of 
a tourism master plan shall be consistent with this Act; 
(b) The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (“NCIP”), in 
behalf of the country’s indigenous cultural communities, which 
shall coordinate with the national agencies on matters pertaining to 
Cultural Property under its jurisdiction; 
(c) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR’) 
which shall be responsible for designating categories of Protected 
areas under the NIPAS; 
(d) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (“DILG’) 
which shall coordinate with the national cultural agencies on 
matters pertaining to Cultural Property under its jurisdiction, and 
ensure that the provisions of this Act is properly executed by the 
Local Government unit; 
(e) The Office of the Muslim Affairs (“OMA”) shall coordinate with the 
national cultural agencies on matters pertaining to Cultural 
Property under its jurisdiction; 
(0 The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (“HLURB”) shall 
coordinate with the local government units and the Commission on 
matters pertaining to the establishment and maintenance of 
Heritage Zones; and 
(g) The Autonomous Regional Government in Muslim Mindanao 
(“ARMM‘) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (“CAR) shall 
coordinate with the National cultural Agencies on matters 
pertaining to Cultural Property under their respective jurisdictions. 
SECTION 30. Incorporation of Cultural Property Programs in 
LGU Budgets. The local government units shall incorporate programs and 
budgets for the conservation and preservation of Important Cultural Property 
in their environmental, educational arid cultural activities. 
SECTION 31. Training Programs. The Commission, in coordination 
with the appropriate cultural agencies shall provide general training 
programs on conservation to the local government units which have 
established cultural heritage programs and projects in their localities. 
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ARTICLE I X 
CULTURAL PROPERTY INCENTIVES PROGRAM 
SECTION 32. Donation by Private Individuals and Institutions 
to Cultural Agencies, Any donation by private individuals or institutions to 
cultural agencies, as certified by the Commission, shall be deductible from 
the gross taxable income of the individual or institution concerned, for any of 
the following cultural programs or purposes: 
(a) purchase of National Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural 
Property; 
(?J) support for scientific and cultural research anthropological projects, 
explorations and archaeological excavations for the Commission 
and its cultural agencies and accredited academic and research 
institutions; 
(c) cultural, archaeological, anthropological, historical research and 
exhibitions and performances for the Commission and cultural 
agencies; 
(d) purchase and acquisition of equipment, instruments and materials 
for conservation for cultural agencies; 
(e) cultural education programs and scholarships; and 
(0 maintenance of Heritage Zones. 
The Department of Finance, in coordination with the Commission, 
shall promulgate the necessary implementing guidelines to carry out the 
purposes of this Section. 
The Commission shall likewise support the formation of local historical 
and cultural trust, clubs and associations through the priority programs 
enumerated under the preceding section. 
SECTION 33. Incentives for- Private Individuals, Collectors or 
Entities Financing Archeological Excavation. Private persons who 
finance the cost in whole or in part an archaeological excavation under the 
supervision of the National Museum or the conservation of a historical site 
under the supervision of the National Historical Institute, and other sites 
defied in this Act, may avail of income tax incentives arising from donations 
as provided for in this Act. 
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Private persons who donate for the purposes of acquisition of cultural 
property to the appropriate cultural agency shall also be entitled to similar 
tax incentives. 
SECTION 34. National Heritage Resource Assistance Program. 
The Commission may provide financial assistance in the form of a grant or a 
loan to historic, archaeological, architectural, artistic organizations for 
conservation or research on cultural property. No grant made pursuant to 
this Act shall be treated as taxable income. 
SECTION 35. Awards and Citations. To encourage preservation of 
the national heritage, the Commission shall establish annual conservation 
recognition under which monetary prizes, awards and citations will be given 
by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the 
Commission, for special achievements and important contributions and 
services in the area of heritage preservation and conservation efforts. 
ARTICLE X 
CULTURAL EDUCATION 
SECTION 36. Incorporation of National Cultural Treasures and 
Important Cultural Property in the Basic Education System. Within 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education in 
coordination with the Commission shall formulate cultural heritage 
education programs to be incorporated into formal, non-formal and informal 
education, with emphasis on the protection, conservation and preservation of 
cultural heritage property. 
The Registry of Important Provincial and Community Cultural 
Properties shall likewise be incorporated into formal, non-formal and 
informal education by the provincial and local governments. 
SECTION 37. Cultural Heritage Education Program. Within one 
(1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd in coordination with the 
Commission shall set forth in the following cultural heritage education 
programs nationwide with emphasis on the provincial, city and municipal 
levels: 
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(a) Protection, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage 
properties; 
(b) Instructional materials in prints, film and broadcast media on the 
cultural and historical significance of cultural properties; and 
Visitation, public accessibility and information dissemination on 
designated Local Important Cultural Properties. 
SECTION 38. Public Accessibility. Access to historic monuments 
and sites, whether designated as National Cultural Treasure, Important 
Cultural Property, Autonomous, Provincial, City, Municipal or Barangay 
Cultural Property, by the general public for visitation and information, and 
government representatives for inspection, shall not be hindered except on 
reasonable cause. Fees, as prescribed by the cultural agency concerned, may 
in appropriate cases be charged to defray cost of conservation, inclusive of 
general maintenance and upkeep. In the case of privately owned monuments 
and sites, the National Historical Institute shall arrange with the owners the 
schedules of visits and regular inspection. 
ARTICLE XI 
CULTURAL HERITAGE WORKERS' INCENTIVES PROGRAM 
SECTION 39. Cultural Heritage Workers' Incentives. The 
Commission through the cultural agencies shall institute scholarships, 
educational training programs, and other measures to protect the well being 
of curators, conservators, authenticators and valuators/appraisers of cultural 
property and other cultural heritage workers. 
(a) Program for Cultural Heritage Workers. Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission through the 
cultural agencies concerned shall provide for the following 
programs for cultural heritage workers: 
(1) 
an 
active 
Roster 
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Authenticators 
and 
Roster 
of 
Valuators/Appraisers; 
(2) education and training programs for conservators, authenticators 
and valuatorslappraisers, and other conservation related workers; 
(3) propose a general training program on conservation for local 
government units. 
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(b) Application of Scieiztific Career Merit System. Cultural heritage 
workers in the Civil Service with a Doctorate, Master of Science or 
Master of Arts Degree, shall be given the rank and benefits of 
Scientists, subject to qualifying standards equivalent to those 
prescribed in the scientific career merit system of the government. 
Cultural Heritage Worker involved in Science and technology in the 
government agencies shall be eligible for the benefits under the Magna Carta 
EZigibles. The Commission shall likewise establish a merit award system for 
non-civil service cultural heritage workers. 
ARTICLE XI1 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 40. Prohibited Acts. To the extent that the offense is not 
punishable by a higher punishment under another provision, violations of 
this Act may be made by whomever intentionally: 
(I) Destroys, demolishes, mutilates or damage any WHS, NCT, ICP, 
and presumed ICP, archaeological and anthropological sites; 
(2) Modify, alter, or destroy the original features of any national 
shrine, monument, landmark and other historic edifices declared 
and classified by the National Historical Institute as such, without 
the prior written permission from the Commission. This includes 
the designated security or buffer zone, extending five meters from 
the visible perimeter of the monument or site. 
Explore, excavate or undertake diggings for the purpose of 
obtaining materials of cultural historical value without prior 
written authority from the National Museum. No excavation or 
diggings shall be permitted without the supervision of a certified 
archaeologist. 
(3) Appropriates excavation finds; 
(4) Imports, sells, distributes, procures, acquires, or exports cultural 
property stolen or otherwise lost against the will of the lawful 
owner; and 
(5) Illicitly exports cultural property listed in the PRECUP or 
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SECTION 41. Penal Provisions. Upon conviction, the offender shall 
be subject to a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,OOO.OO) or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten (10) years or 
both upon the discretion of the Court Provided, That any cultural property 
attempted to be concealed from registration or those intended to be 
encumbered or excavated in violations of this Act shall be summarily 
confiscated and forfeited in favor of the Commission; Provided further, That if 
the violation is committed by a juridical person, the manager, representative, 
director, agent or employee of said juridical person responsible for the act 
shall also be liable to the penalties provided herein; Provided furthermore; 
that if the acts are committed by dealers, they shall suffer, in addition to the 
penalties provide herein, the automatic revocation of their license to operate; 
Provided finally, That if the offender is an alien, he shall be under the 
custody of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation for the 
appropriate proceedings. 
SECTION 42. Appropriations. Funding for this law shall be taken 
from the Fifty percent (50%) share of the government in the aggregate gross 
earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), 
which shall constitute as an additional source of funding for the National 
Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). 
SECTION 43. Repealing Clause. The provisions of: the RA 7356 or 
the National Museum Law, Republic Act 9072 or the National Caves and 
Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, Presidential Decree No. 
1505, RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and any provision of 
existing laws, rules, decrees and executive orders inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly. 
SECTION 44. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this 
Act that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of 
nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining 
provisions can still subsist and be given effect. 
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SECTION 45. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its complete and full publication in the Official Gazette or in 
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes first. 
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