SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
S.B.No. 1929 
Introduced by Senator Manuel JJLit(>" M. Lapid. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
NOV 18 1'?:3 2 
Republic Act. No. 8492, otherwise known as the National Museum Act of 1998 
was enacted into law last February 12, 1998. The law sought the development of 
Filipino culture through the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of the 
different art media and outputs evidencing such. 
' 
Over the past few years, however, there have been issues shOWing that the 
budget allocated for the operation of the National Museum may not be sufficient. These 
issues include restoration, preservation, and securityneeds. 
The duty of restoring and preserving national artworks incurs high costs because 
the same requires the employment of highly skilled professionals and special expertise. 
This has been evidenced by the restoration works done on the Spolarium and attempted 
on the pages of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The nature and age of the 
museum's collection requires constaI)-t restoration and preservation work. 
The recent reports of missing artworks and art collections also trigger rising 
alarm for the protection of our artistic treasures. 
This is particularly distressing 
considering that the loss or theft, as the case may be, of art pieces has allegedly been 
occurring for several years already. Worse, the cases involve irreplaceable and priceless 
works of national artists. 
Thus, this proposed measure seeks to augment the National Museums budget 
by amending Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8492. The amendment will give the 
National Museum the authority to use income derived from sales of reproductions, 
cultural items, publications, or creations; from rendition of restoration, conservation, 
identification.. authentication, or other auxiliary services; or from earnings from 
planetarium programs or entrance fees, provided that the use is limited to certain 
aspects of operation and shall not exceed an amount of Five Million pesos 
(Php5,OOO,OOO.OO) annually. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eai'nest1y~s __ b_",:.... 
~--.J 
EL "LITO" M. LAPI~ 
Senator 
( 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
NOV 18 P:;:3 2 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1929 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998" 
. ' 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8492 is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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"SEC. 26. [Revolving Fund] USE OF INCOME. - The NATIONAL 
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MUSEUM IS AUTHORIZED, TO USE income [of the museum], not 
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exceeding the amount of [TWO (P2,OOO,OOO)] FIVE MILLION PESOS 
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(P5,OOO,OOO.OO) ANNUALLY, WHICH MAY BE derived from the 
[proceeds of the sales] SALE of reproductions, cultural items, AND 
publications[,]; 
FEES 
FOR 
creation, 
restoration, 
conservation, 
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identification, authentication, AND OTHER AUXILIARY SERVICES[,]; 
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AND earnings from planetarium programs[,] ,OR ENTRANCEFEES[shall 
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be constituted as a revolving fund for the use of the Museum.] TO 
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AUGMENT THE MUSEUM'S OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
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SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: 
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26.1. UPGRADING 
AND 
MODERNIZATION 
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COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES; 
1 
OF 
r 
, 


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26.2. REPAIR AND REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES AND 
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FACILITIES THAT HOUSE ITS OFFICES, COLLECTIONS AND 
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ACQUISITIONS; 
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26.3. UPDATE ITS INSURANCE PAYMENTS; 
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26.4. INCREASE AND MODERNIZE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY IT 
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CURRENTLY EMPLOYS; AND 
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26 
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26.5. FUND 
EXPENSES 
INCURRED· IN 
REPRODUCTIONOR 
ACQUISITION OF CULTURAL ITEMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND 
OTHER 
ARTISTIC 
CREATIONS; 
RESTORATION 
AND 
CONSTRUCTION 
PROGRAMS; 
AND 
OPERATION 
OF 
PLANETARIUM 
PROGRAMS 
AND 
OTHER 
AUXILIARY 
ACTIVITIES, SUBJECT TO THE SUBMISSION OF A SPECIAL 
BUDGET PURSUANT TO SECTION 35, CHAPTER V, BOOK VI 
OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292: PROVIDED, :rHAT NO 
AMOUNT OF SAID INCOME SHALL BE' USED TO FUND 
PERSONAL SERVICES EXPENDITURES." 
SEC. 2. 
A new section is hereby inserted after Section 36 and the 
subsequent sections accordingly renumbered: 
"SEC. 37. IMPLEMENTING RUL£S AND REGULATIONS. - THE 
DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM SHALL PROMULGATE 
SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT WITHIN ONE HUNDRED 
TWENTY (120) DAYS AFTER ITS EfFECTIVITY." 
SEC. 3. 
Separability Clause - If any provision or part of this act shall 
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be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not otherwise 
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affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 4. 
Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, and rule or regulation 
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contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
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modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 5. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall ta](e effect fifteen (15) 
5 
days after its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3