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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 11289  
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia 
______________________________________________________________________________
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 into law last April 26, 2019. The law designates the National Museum of the 
Philippines as the country's primary institution for the "management and development of museums 
and collections of national scope or significance in the areas of arts, cultural heritage, and natural 
history.” 1 It also aims to strengthen the regional, area, and site museums and satellite offices of 
the National Museum by expanding the Museum's services to every region of the Philippines. By 
doing so, our regional museums are primed to become premier informational and cultural centers 
of those localities to benefit both residents and tourists alike. 
Without a doubt, R.A. No. 11333 has created a stronger national policy to protect our 
heritage. However, in order for generations of young Filipinos to fully appreciate our country's 
rich history and heritage, we must also take steps towards preserving the traditional folk arts, an 
incredibly valuable facet of Philippine culture. 
1 An Act Strengthening the National Museum of the Philippines, repealing for the Purpose R.A. No. 8492, otherwise 
Known as the “National Museum Act of 1998”, and Appropriating Funds Therefor [National Museum of the 
Philippines Act], Republic Act. No. 11333, 4 (2019). 
January 15, 2025
11:33 am


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The conservation and transfer of cultural heritage in the Philippines has often been 
expressed through the country's various traditional folk arts, through its Manlilikha ng Bayan, and 
Schools of Living Tradition programs. This follows the second approach advocated by the United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in ensuring the transmission 
of such valuable knowledge to the younger generation. 
Towards this end, this bill seeks to require the regional museums to serve as venues in 
ensuring the conservation and preservation of our country's traditional folk arts. The proposed 
measure will enable the National Museum to fulfill its mandate to develop our regional museums 
as vital learning resource centers that will showcase every aspect of the artistic, cultural, and 
natural heritage of the Filipino people. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
     HON. CHRISTOPHER V.P.  DE VENECIA 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 11289  
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia 
______________________________________________________________________________
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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Section. 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 
administrative efficiency as well as of outstanding national artistic, cultural and 
natural heritage significance, and educational, environmental and tourism 
considerations." 


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Section. 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 
MAINTANENANCE OF SUCH FACILITIES: PROVIDED FURTHER, 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." 
 
Section. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section or provision of this 
Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts, sections or provisions hereof shall not 
be affected thereby. 
Section. 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. 
Section. 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,