TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
f©) S'fllMl'
(©ffitP of for !£>,'.-TVlATp
25 AUG-4 PI 36
SENATE
S. no._S19
RECEIVED .
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE SENTRO RIZAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066, OR THE "NATIONAL 
CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009" AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
11961
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Sentro Rizal, established pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066 (National 
Cultural Heritage Act of 2009), serves as the Philippines' primary instrument for 
cultural diplomacy. It takes the lead in organizing the country's cultural events and 
activities as the Philippines' cultural center abroad catering to overseas Filipinos and 
anyone interested in anything Filipino.1 As of 2024, there are over 30 active Sentro 
Rizal hubs worldwide, yet many remain underutilized due to operational constraints, 
limited funding, and the absence of a centralized strategic framework.
The Philippines ranked 53rd globally among 193 nations, and 18th in the 
"People and Values" pillar of the 2025 Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index.2 This 
pillar includes perceptions of friendliness, hospitality, and warmth, all of which are 
traits central to cultural identity and national branding, and align with the mission of 
Sentro Rizal to promote Philippine culture and soft power globally.
The Philippines' global perception as a country of friendly, hospitable people is 
a key soft power asset that can be amplified through Sentro Rizal hubs. The fact that 
the Philippines performs well in people-centric soft power dimensions, rather than in
1 https ://sentroriza I. ncca .gov. ph/
2 Brand Finance. (2025, March 13). People power of Philippines ranked 18th globally for friendly 
people. Brand Finance retrieved 31 July 2025 https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/people-power- 
of-philippines-ranked-18th-globally-for-friendly-people


military or economic power, highlights the importance of non-coercive, culture-based 
engagement. This is precisely what the Sentro Rizal system is designed to 
institutionalize.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are 
approximately 10 million Filipinos living abroad, and more than 1 million Filipinos leave 
the country each year to work overseas.3 This immense global presence highlights the 
urgent need for the Philippines to deepen its cultural engagement, not merely to 
preserve heritage but to harness it as a strategic instrument of soft power. Through 
this measure, the Sentro Rizal system will be transformed into a cohesive and dynamic 
network of cultural diplomacy hubs, guided by a centralized Sentro Rizal Council 
tasked with advancing the Philippines' cultural footprint and influence worldwide.
The primary objective of this bill is to strengthen Sentro Rizal's role in cultural 
diplomacy by enhancing its functions and expanding its capacity to promote the 
Philippines' cultural identity and soft power globally. The bill envisions a 
comprehensive approach to cultural diplomacy, incorporating a wide range of 
programs and activities that will ensure Sentro Rizal effectively represents the 
Philippines globally. This includes broadening the institution's functions through 
partnerships with foreign government agencies and local entities, and establishing a 
Sentro Rizal Council to oversee strategic planning and policy formulation. These 
measures will provide Sentro Rizal with greater authority and flexibility, aligning its 
operations with current international standards in cultural diplomacy.
Furthermore, the bill proposes to streamline and modernize Sentro Rizal's 
mandate. The new provisions will enable Sentro Rizal to operate more effectively and 
adapt to contemporary needs. The bill also includes provisions for the establishment 
of a Secretariat to support the Sentro Rizal Council in executing its functions, as well 
as for the appropriation of funds, grants, and financial assistance to ensure the 
sustainability and impact of its cultural diplomacy initiatives.
By strengthening institutional linkages and fostering coordination with various 
government agencies and stakeholders, the bill aims to enhance resource-sharing and
3 International Labour Organization. (2025). Labour migration in the Philippines. ILO. Retrieved from
https://www.iio.org/regions-and-countries/asia-and-pacific/philippines/areas-work/labour-migration-
Philippines.


ensure that Sentro Rizal's activities are aligned with national and international 
objectives. The bill envisions a reformed Sentro Rizal that will be better equipped to 
promote the Philippines' rich cultural heritage, foster international relationships, and 
enhance global appreciation of Filipino culture. Ultimately, through these reforms, 
Sentro Rizal will be empowered to effectively contribute to the country's cultural and 
diplomatic goals.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. ^19
Ot tl)r ^ffiTtar?
25 AUG-4 P1 36 
A
RF.CEIVED B'.;........
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE SENTRO RIZAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066, OR THE "NATIONAL 
CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009" AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
11961
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Sentro Rizal Act".
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy and State Principles. — The State shall foster the
5 
preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based
6 
on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual
7 
expression. The State shall likewise ensure equal access to cultural opportunities
8 
through the educational system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants
9 
and other rewards, community cultural centers, and other public venues.
10 
It is thus declared the policy of the State to provide global knowledge of the
11 
Philippines and Filipino culture through cultural, historical, scientific, creative,
12 
educational, and economic programs and activities and cooperative exchanges,
13 
partnerships, and collaborations with and among foreign government agencies,
14 
nongovernmental agencies, and community organizations; as well as utilize cultural
15 
diplomacy as a tool to advance Philippine foreign policy through the Sentro Rizal
16 
system.


1 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:
2 
a) Culture - refers to a set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual,
3 
and emotional features that characterize a society or social group which
4 
includes not only arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental
5 
rights of human beings, value systems, traditions, and beliefs. Coverage
6 
on its definition may be referred to in RA 7356.
7 
b) Cultural diplomacy - refers to using culture as a tool for diplomacy
8 
and an instrument of foreign policy, differentiating it from promoting
9 
culture for culture's sake. It is a strategic use of culture to pursue
10 
national interest, foster mutual understanding and cultural relations with
11 
other countries, and protect and enhance the image of the Philippines
12 
abroad.
13 
c) Cultural diplomacy hub - refers to the physical space for the
14 
repository of materials and implementation venue of programs for
15 
cultural diplomacy.
16 
d) Sentro Rizal- refers to the system whose main purpose is to provide
17 
global knowledge of the Philippines and promote Philippine culture,
18 
history, arts, language, and creative output throughout the world
19 
through cultural diplomacy and scientific, cultural, historical, creative,
20 
educational, and economic programs, projects, and activities as well as
21 
cooperative exchanges and partnerships with and among local and
22 
foreign government agencies, and non-government organizations. The
23 
Sentro Rizal shall cater to both the Filipino diaspora and foreign nationals
24 
in the host country.
25 
e) Sentro Rizal hubs — also referred to as "Sentros Rizal" or "Centers",
26 
refer to the physical institution tasked to carry out the objectives of the
27 
Sentro Rizal System through the delivery of various services and
28 
programs in other countries that are carefully adapted according to the
29 
differing socio-cultural and political environments of the host country.
30 
f) Soft power- refers to enhancing the Philippines' global standing and
31 
influence through appeal, persuasion, and other non-coercive means. In
32 
the context of the Sentro Rizal and its proposed cultural diplomacy hubs,


1 
it is the use of the following in pursuit of cultural diplomacy objectives:
2 
culture, history, language, Filipino content. One Town, One Product
3 
(OTOP), tourism and trade and investment, and other means related to
4 
the promotion of soft power.
5 
Sec. 4. Strengthening the Sentro Riza! as a Cultural Diplomacy Hub. — The
6 
Sentro Rizal, established under Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the
7 
"National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009", is hereby converted into a cultural diplomacy
8 
hub whose main purpose, as a government instrumentality, is to promote the country's
9 
brand and enhance the image of the Philippines throughout the world through cultural
10 
diplomacy.
11 
Sec. 5. Functions. — The Sentro Rizal shall have the following duties and
12 
functions:
13 
(a) Function as the center for Philippine cultural diplomacy and implement cultural,
14 
historical, scientific, creative, educational, and economic programs and
15 
activities;
16 
(b) Establish and sustain cooperative exchanges, partnerships, and collaborations
17 
with and among foreign government agencies in coordination with the DFA,
18 
creative entities, organizations, and associations, locally and overseas, whether
19 
from the public or private sector, for purposes of promoting Philippine culture,
20 
history, arts, language, and creative output in the global stage;
21 
(c) Collaborate with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education
22 
(DepEd), Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs), foreign academic institutions,
23 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education 
and Skills
24 
Development Authority 
(TESDA), Department of Science and Technology
25 
(DOST), Department of Economy, Planning, and 
Development (DEPDev),
26 
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Trade and Industry
27 
(DTI), Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), National
28 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of
29 
the Philippines (NHCP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), National
30 
Museum of the Philippines (NMP), National Archives of the Philippines (NAP),
31 
National Library of the Philippines (NLP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF),
32 
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Design Center of the


1 
Philippines (DCP), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),
2 
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and other
3 
pertinent government agencies in providing tourism, educational, trade and
4 
investment, cultural, and historical materials, including information, education,
5 
and communication materials (lECs) to all Sentro Rizal hubs;
6 
(d) Assist the private sector in marketing and promoting Filipino content overseas
7 
with the DTI, DOT, PCIDC created under Republic Act No. 11904, otherwise
8 
known as the "Philippine Creative Industries Development Act", DCP, Center
9 
for International Trade Expositions and Missions, CCP, and other pertinent
10 
government agencies;
11 
(e) Collaborate with the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Management Committee
12 
to assist in supporting the beneficiaries of the OTOP Program and promote
13 
products through the Sentro Rizal hubs for OTOP Philippines products pursuant
14 
to the provisions and objectives of Republic Act No. 11960, otherwise known
15 
as the "OTOP Philippines Act";
16 
(f) Be the repository of cultural materials by acquiring, organizing, servicing, and
17 
preserving resource materials on Philippine arts, culture, languages, and other
18 
related fields; organize cultural events and activities for Filipinos, hold fora on
19 
Indigenous traditions and practices along with cultural heritage campaigns;
20 
coordinate the activities of visiting artists and performing groups from the
21 
Philippines to ensure maximum participation and community impact with the
22 
Filipino diaspora; and offer courses on Philippine culture, history, languages,
23 
arts, and other related fields; and
24 
(g) Adopt a whole-of-nation approach in the promotion of Philippine culture,
25 
history, arts, language, and creative output throughout the world.
26 
Sec. 6. Sentro Rizal Council. - The Sentro Rizal Council, herein referred to as the
27 
Council, is hereby created to strengthen the State's institutional capacity to carry out
28 
the above-declared policy. The Council shall be composed of eleven (11) ex officio
29 
members:
30 
(1) The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as Chairperson
31 
(2) The Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, as
32 
co-Chairperson;


1 
(3) The Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines
2 
(NHCP);
3 
(4) The Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
4 
(DEPDev);
5 
(5) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT);
6 
(6) The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
7 
(7) The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW);
8 
(8) The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
9 
(9) 
The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd);
10 
(10) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); and
11 
(11) The Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
12 
(TESDA)
13 
The ex-officio members of the Council may designate their respective next-in-
14 
rank officials as their alternate representatives to the Council.
15 
The Council for budgetary and administrative purposes, shall be attached to the
16 
NCCA.
17 
Sec 7. Powers and Functions of the Councii. - The Council shall serve as the
18 
policy and advisory body to the President on matters pertaining to cultural diplomacy
19 
and shall, adopting a whole-of-nation approach, formulate policies and programs
20 
aimed at promoting Philippine culture, history, arts, language, and creative output
21 
throughout the world. To this end, the Council shall exercise the following powers and
22 
functions:
23 
(a) Formulate a Sentro Rizal Development Plan that shall define Philippine cultural
24 
diplomacy goals and the following key performance indicators, including, but
25 
not limited to: (1) influence of cultural diplomacy on foreign policy decisions;
26 
(2) monitoring and evaluation of media coverage and public perception; (3)
27 
cross-cultural understanding; (4) conduct of cultural exchange activities
28 
including cultural exchange programs, cultural festivals, co-production, touring
29 
exhibitions, and academic exchanges; (5) partnerships and collaborations
30 
established with international organizations, cultural institutions, and
31 
government agencies; (6) economic benefits generated by cultural diplomacy
32 
initiatives including tourism, trade, investment, and job creation; (7) addressing


1 
long-term resource needs and exploring diverse funding models for the Sentro
2 
Rizal programs; (8) culturally-literate and participative communities of Filipinos
3 
overseas and foreign nationals; and (9) other soft power indicators as may be
4 
defined by the Council;
5 
(b) Assess the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy in enhancing the country's soft
6 
power and global reputation through indices like the Soft Power Index, global
7 
opinion polls, and cultural influence rankings, among others;
8 
(c) Devise strategies in utilizing, among others, online platforms, digital tools, and
9 
social media to expand its reach and engage global audiences for the marketing
10 
and promotion of Philippine culture, history, arts, language, and creative output
11 
throughout the world;
12 
(d) Review and approve programs, projects, and activities of the Sentro Rizal hubs
13 
pursuant to the general purposes of this Act;
14 
(e) Provide rewards and awards to top-performing Sentro Rizal hubs, as well as
15 
opportunities for the private sector to assist and collaborate with the Sentro
16 
Rizal in the conduct of cultural diplomacy pursuant to the objectives of this Act,
17 
and financial and/or logistical support to Sentro Rizal hubs in the performance
18 
of their official duties and responsibilities;
19 
(f) Identify potential sites for the Sentro Rizal hubs and formally propose, through
20 
the DFA, the establishment of said centers in host countries. The DFA shall take
21 
the lead in negotiating the appropriate bilateral agreements with the host
22 
countries, pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act No. 7157;
23 
(g) Lease, purchase, or otherwise acquire, construct, improve, furnish, or maintain
24 
a suitable permanent headquarters for the Sentro Rizal hubs;
25 
(h) Accept grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions from local
26 
or foreign sources made to the Sentro Rizal, to be used actually, directly and
27 
exclusively by the Sentro Rizal for purposes relevant to its functions: Provided,
28 
That such grants, in cash or in kind, from government of foreign countries,
29 
their agencies and instrumentalities or multilateral institutions or organizations,
30 
acceptance thereof shall be subject to the prior clearance and approval by the
31 
President or his authorized representative based on the recommendation of the
32 
Secretary of Finance; Provided, further. That other donations, in cash or in kind.


1 
from foreign governments shall require prior clearance and approval by the
2 
President or his authorized representative based on the recommendation of the
3 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Provided, finally. That such grants, bequests,
4 
endowments, donations, and contributions shall be exempt from donor's tax
5 
and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income
6 
for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with
7 
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended;
8 
(i) Create ad hoc committees or technical working groups which shall include the
9 
private sector to discuss specific issues pertaining to soft power, cultural
10 
diplomacy, and the promotion of Filipino content; and
11 
(j) Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to effectively
12 
carry out the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
13 
Sec. 8. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - A Secretariat to the
14 
Sentro Rizal Council, hereinafter referred to as the Secretariat, shall be established to
15 
be headed by an Executive Director (ED), who shall be appointed by the President of
16 
the Philippines from a list of at least five (5) nominees recommended by the Council.
17 
The ED shall be assisted by five (5) Division Chiefs for: (1) Research and Development;
18 
(2) Operations, (3) Policy & Planning Division, (4) Admin and Finance, (5) Assets and
19 
Management, (6) Communications and Public Affairs.
20 
Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA
21 
shall create the organizational structure and plantilla positions of the Secretariat and
22 
submit the same to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approval.
23 
The formulation of qualification standards and the appointment to the newly-created
24 
positions shall be done in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
25 
Pending the creation of the Secretariat's plantilla positions, the NCCA shall
26 
maintain its existing Secretariat. Each of the Council member agencies shall formally
27 
designate at least one (1) representative on temporary detail to the interim secretariat
28 
until such time that the plantilla positions of the Secretariat shall have been created.
29 
The NCCA, in consultation with the DFA, shall likewise be authorized to engage the
30 
services of consultants and enter into service contracts, as necessary.
31 
Sec. 9. Functions of the Secretariat - The Sentro Rizal Secretariat shall perform
32 
the following duties and responsibilities:


1 
(a) Implement plans, programs, and projects as approved by the Council;
2 
(b) Enter into and carry out contracts of every kind and description, save for the
3 
contracts contemplated by Sections 7(f) and 7(h) of which the contracting party
4 
is the Council, with any person, firm, association, or corporation, domestic or
5 
foreign, and sue or be sued relative to the contracts entered into;
6 
(c) Lease and utilize, in any manner recognized by law, real or personal property
7 
outside the Philippines or elsewhere necessary to carry out the purposes of this
8 
Act;
9 
(d) Adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal of the Sentro Rizal;
10 
(e) Serve as the lead in the promotion of Philippine arts, culture, languages, and
11 
other content throughout the world; and
12 
(f) Perform such other functions as vested by the Council to the Secretariat.
13 
Sec. 10. Crafting the Filipino Brand. - To establish, manage, and enhance the
14 
image of the Philippines throughout the world, the Council 
shall, within three (3)
15 
months from the effectivity of this Act, develop and promote the "Filipino brand" which
16 
shall reflect the history, culture, image, and aspirations of the Philippines among other
17 
elements.
18 
The Filipino brand shall, as much as possible, be adopted by all departments,
19 
agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government
20 
owned and -controlled corporations, and local government units (LGUs) in the
21 
formulation and implementation of their programs, projects, and activities relative to
22 
the same.
23 
The Council shall undertake a whole-of-government approach in the crafting of
24 
the Filipino brand in partnership with the private sector towards a whoie-of-society
25 
approach in fostering and championing the same.
26 
Sec. 11. Sentro Rizai Assistance Program. - The Council may provide financial
27 
assistance in the form of a grant to cultural, historical, scientific, educational, and
28 
creative organizations or entities for the promotion of Filipino culture throughout the
29 
world. No grant made pursuant to this Act shall be 
treated as taxable income.
30 
Sec. 12. Awards and Citations. - To encourage the promotion of the Filipino
31 
brand and enhancement of the image of the Philippines throughout the world, the
32 
Council shall establish an annual recognition program under which monetary prizes.


1 
awards and citations will be given by the President of the Philippines, upon the
2 
recommendation of the Council, for special achievements and important contributions
3 
and services in the area of cultural diplomacy efforts.
4 
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
5 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DFA and
6 
NCCA. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act
7 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
8 
Sec. 14. Annuai Report. - The Council shall submit to the President of the
9 
Philippines and to both Houses of Congress a report that provides a detailed account
10 
of the implementation of this Act, including policy recommendations for legislation.
11 
Sec. 15. Transitory Provision. - All existing Sentro Rizal hubs and facilities,
12 
established pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10066 shall continue to
13 
operate pursuant to, and be regulated by, the provisions of this Act and its
14 
implementing rules and regulations.
15 
The DFA and the NCCA shall, in coordination with the DBM and the Civil Service
16 
Commission, ensure that the necessary changes in the plantilla items of the Sentro
17 
Rizal Secretariat are reflected in the Revised Compensation and Position Classification
18 
System and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
19 
Sec 16. Impiementing Rules and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
20 
approval of this Act, the Council shall, in consultation with the other concerned
21 
government agencies and stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations for the
22 
effective implementation of this Act.
23 
Sec. 17. Separabiiity Clause. — Should any portion or provision of this Act be
24 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the
25 
other not affected provisions hereof.
26 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, orders, and rules and
27 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
28 
amended accordingly.
29 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
30 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,