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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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Third Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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SENATE 
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 26,54,28$, 282,283,576,725,913,1089,1214, 
2123,2252, and 2386, taking into consideration House Bill Nos. 5577 and 5792) 
Prepared by the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture (Sub- 
committee on Heritage Bills) Tourism; Local Government; Ways and Means; 
Environment and Natural Resources; Foreign Relations; and Finance with 
Senators Flavier, Angara, Osmeiia, Villar, Estrada, I., and Revilla, Jr., as 
authors thereof. 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF 
THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE, STRBNGTHENING THE 
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA), AND 
ITS AFFlLIATED CULTURAL AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Pkilippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the Wational 
Culhrral Heritage Act of 2007." 
ARTICLE I 
POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES 
SEC. 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 shaIl 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. 
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In the pursuit of cultural preservation as a strategy for maintaining 
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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 ethniciw of local communities; 
b) Establish and strengthen cultural institutions; and 
c) Protect cultural workers and ensure their professional development and 
well- being. 
ARTICLE I1 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SEC. 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 integrity; 
(b) ”Antkropobgical Area” refers to any place where studies of specific ethno- 
linguistic groups are undertaken, the properties of which are of value to our 
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cultural heritage; 
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(c) “Antique” refers to a cultural property found locally which is one hundred 
years in age, more or less, the production of which has ceased; 
(d) “ArchaeoZogicaZ Area” refers to any place, whether above or under ground, 
underwater or at sea level, containing fossils, artifacts, and other cultural, 
geological, botanical, zooIogicaI materials which depict and document 
cult~~rally 
relevant paleontological, prehistoric and / or historic events; 
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(e) “Built Heritage” refers to architectural structures, such as but not limited to, 
buildings, houses of ancestry, traditional dwellings, technological and 
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industrial complexes, and their settings, with notable historical and cultural 
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significance; 
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Arts (NCCA); 
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(9 "Collector" refers to any person who or institution that acquires cultural 
property for purposes other than sale; 
(g) NComrnission" shall refer to the National Commission for Culture and the 
(h) "Conservation" refers to all the processes and measures of maintaining the 
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cultural significance of a cultural property, including but not limited to, 
presepation, restoration, reconstruction, adaptation or any combination 
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thereof; 
(i) "Cultural Education" is the teaching and learning of cultural concepts and 
processes; 
(j) NCuZturaZ Hevitage" refers tothe totality of cultural property preserved and 
developed through time and passed on to posterity; 
(k) "Cultuual Heritage Worker" is an individual undertaking cultural heritage 
work; 
(1) "Cultural Institution" refers to entities engaged primarily in cultural work; 
(m) 
Tultural Property" refers to all products of human creativity by whieh a 
people and a nation reveal their -identiiy, including natural history specimens 
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 "and sites, whether public or privately-owned, movable. or immovable, and 
tangible'or intangibIe; 
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"TangibZe Cultural Property" refers to a cultural property with 
historical, archival, anthropological, archaeological, artistic and 
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architectwal value, and with exceptional or traditional production, 
whether of Philippine -origin or not, including antiques and natural 
history specimens with significant value; and 
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2) "Intangible Cultural Puopeuty" 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) 'Wealeus" 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) .dxHistory" is a record of past events relating to political arid social 
development; 
(4) "Historical Landmarks" refer to sites or structures that are associated with 
events or achievements significant to Philippine History; 
(r). tiH&orical 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; 
(t) 'Important Cultural Property" refers to a cultural property having 
exceptional cultural significance to the Philippines, but are not sufficiently 
outstanding to merit the classification of "national cultural treasures;" 
(p) 'lntattgible Cultural Heritage (XHY 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 waditioils, 
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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; 
(u) "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; 
(v) "Musetim" 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; 
(w) 'Wational 
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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; 
(x) "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); 
(y) 'We-history" is the period of human history before the introduction of the 
forms of writing; 
(z) "Philippine Registry of Cultural Property @RECUP)" refers to the registry 
of all cultural property of the country deemed of significant importance to 
our cultural heritage; and 
(aa) "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 reassembljng existing 
components without the introduction of new materials. 
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ARTICLE lII 
CULTURAL PROPERTY 
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SEC. 4. Categories. The Cultural Property of the country shall be 
categorized as follows: 
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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. 
SEC. 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 
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from the appropriate cultural agency. Consequently, the owner may petition the 
appropriate cultural agency to remove the presumption of ICP. 
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SEC. 6. World Heritage Sites M S ) .  The WHS in the Philippines shall be 
under the jurisdiction of the Commission, which shaIl have the power to regulate 
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and supervise its conservation. 
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a. Priority government funding for protection, conservation and 
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restoration; 
SEC. 7. Privileges for Cultural Property. A11 cultural properties declared 
as National Cultural Treasures shall be entitled to the following privileges: 
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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. 
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. SEC. 8. Procedure for Declaration ,or De-Listing of National Cultural 
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Treasures or Important Cultural Property, The procedure in declaring as well as 
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shall be as follows: 
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the delisting of a National Cultural Property or an Important Cultural Property 
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 
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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 liited to local government 
units, local culture and arts council, local tourism councils, non- 
government conservation organizations, and schools, may be allowed to 
file their support or opposition to the petition. 
c) 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 fiteen (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. 
SEC. 9. Right of First Refusdl on the sale of National Cultural Treasures 
(NCT). The Commission shall be given the right of fimt refusal in the purchase of 
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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 N 
HERITAGE ZONES 
SEC. 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. 
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SEC. li. 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; 
b. Appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, natural bodies of 
water, canals, paths and barangays within a Historical Zone shall be 
maintained as close to their appearance at the time 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 limited 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. 
SEC. 12. DoczrmmtaCion of Traditional m d  Contemporary Arts. Local 
government units shall document traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, 
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including their processes and makers, and sustain the sources of their raw 
materials. 'I'he 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 
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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 
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future markets, with a view to encouraging and promoting the unique heritage 
and identities of the said communities. 
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The LGU concerned shall submit an annual inventory of these 
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documentations to the Commission, which will be included in the Philippine 
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Registry of Cultural Property, as established in succeeding Section of this Act. 
ARTICLE V 
REGISTRATION AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY 
SEC.13. Establishment of a Philippine Registry of Cultural Properly. All 
cultural property of the country deemed of sigruficant importance for the 
cdtural heritage shall be registered in the Philippine Registry of Cultural 
Property (hereafter referred to as "Registry"). 
The Commission, through the appropriate cultural agencies and local 
government units, sldl 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 cultiral agencies concerned shall maintain an inventory, evaluation ahd 
'documentation of all culhrral 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 property in their respective inventory; 
d) AI1 government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and / or 
contrded 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 regish'ation 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 
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governed by the pertinent provisions of this law. 
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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 elechonic database and shall publish the 
same in its official website. 
SEC. 14. Conservation 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. 
SEC. 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. 
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SEC. 16. Power to issue Compulsoy 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. 
SEC 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. 
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; 
f )  Provision of financial assistance for the conservation of the 
property; 
g) Procedure for the resolution of any dispute arising out of the 
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Such agreement should vie annotated in the land title to bind future 
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owners and / or occupants of the Immovablecultural property. 
A RTICLE VI 
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE 
SEC. 18. National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The 
Commission shall undertake a natiorral 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 
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Intangible Cultural Heritage. 
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2) Undertake the responsibilities pertatining to the Philippines as provided for 
by Articles 11 to 15 of UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the 
SEC. 19. Anthropological Research and Archaeological Exploration / 
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Excuvation. a) The Commission through the National Museum shali 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 20 of this Act. 
It shall be guided by the following rules: 
Z j  All cultural property found in terrestrial and / or underwater 
archaeological site beIong to the State. 
2) No terrestrial and / or underwater archaeological explorations and 
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excavations for the purposes of obtaining materials and data of cultural 
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3) All anthropological researches, for the purpose of obtaining materials and 
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data of cultural value and where the principal proponent is a foreign 
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Museum; 
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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 
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the Indigenous communities shall be encouraged; 
41.. Archaeological or' anthropological materials presumed as ICP shall be 
, alkwed to leave the country only upon proper evaluation and written 
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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 / or sacred and burial pur,poses 
all over the country, shalr be under the direct jurisdiction and supervision 
of archaeologists and/or other experts of the National Museum; 
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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 
7) 'All mining activities imide-caves, rock shelters and any such other areas 
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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 rights, shall be 
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possibly, destroyed; 
required to ensure that no archaeological materials are present and, 
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7) Excavations in caves, rock shelters and other areas by laymen are 
prohibited by this Act. All earth-moving activities in these areas must 
have the proper permit and clearance from the National Museum and 
monitored by their representatives; and 
8) All Treasure Hunting remits and Licenses shall be issued by the 
Commission through the National Museum, which shall formulate the 
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applicants for such undertakings. 
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rules and regulations to adequately control, regulate and monitor all 
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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, 
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archaeological materials. 
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through the National Museum and only after the systematic recovery of the 
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 
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d) Any government or non-government infrastructure project or architectural 
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site development shall include anthropological, archaeological, historical and 
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heritage site conservation concerns in their Environmental Impact 
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Assessment System (EIAS). 
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For this purpose, one percent of the total budget of the program/project 
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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. 
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SEC. 20. Immovable National Cultural Treusures. National Cultural 
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Treasures, which are immovable, shall not be relocated, rebuilt, defaced or 
otherwise ch'anged in a manner, which would destroy the property's dignity 
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except to save such property from destruction due to natural causes. 
SEC. 21. Indigenous properties. The Commission, in coordination with 
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, shall establish a program and 
promulgate regulations to assist indigenous peopIe in preserving their particular 
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cultural and historical properties. 
SEC. 22. Systematic Research in Nutural 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 jurjsdiction of the Philippines; and shall be exempt from any and 
all permit systems regulating the same. 
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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. 
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SEC. 23. Renaming of Historical Streets, Buildings Designated as 
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Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural Property. No historical streets, parks, 
buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments and sites designated as National 
Cdtural Treasures or Important Cultural Property shall be renamed except upon 
written application and approval of the National Historical Institute. 
Consequently, the "I 
may direct the local government units to restore the 
original names of historic streets, parks, buildings, shrines, landmarks, 
monuments and sites. 
SEC. 24. Visitorial Powers. The cultural agencies concerned, through the 
Commission, are hereby given the power io 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. 
SEC. 25. Power to Deputize the Philippine National Police (PNP), 
National Bureau of Investigation WBI, 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, 
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immediately detail their respective personnel to protect the cultural items under 
the National Registry. 
SEC. 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 
SEC. 27. Creation of u Heritage Advisory Council. The Commission, as 
the lead agency shall create a Heritage Advisory Council (hereafter referred to as 
"Council") 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 couId stiIl 
make them active participants in cuftural development; and (b) 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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SEC. 28. Responsibilities of Cultural Agencies for Designation of Cultural 
Property. The cdtural 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 €or 
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 respomibIe 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 ("NHI") shall be responsible for movable 
and immovable cultural property that pertain 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 
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; 
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SEC. 29. Institutional Linkages of the Commission. The Commission 
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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 cultma1 property 
supplemental to the jurisdiction of the culturai 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; 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ("DENR') which 
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NIPAS; 
. shall be responsible for designating categories of Protected areas under the 
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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^; 
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its jurisdiction; 
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e) The Office of the Muslim Affairs ("OMA") shall coordinate with the 
. national cultural agencies on matters pertaining to Cultural Property under 
f )  The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board ("HLURB") shall coordinate 
with the local government units and the Commission on matters pertaining 
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to the establishment and maintenance of Heritage Zones; and 
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g) The Autonomous Re@ortal Government in Muslim Mindanao ("ARMM") 
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and the Cordillera Administrative Region ("CAW') shall coordinate with 
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the National cultural Agencies on matters pertaining to Cultural Property 
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under their respective jurisdictions. 
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SEC. 30. Incorporatiom of Cultural Property Programs in LGU Budgets. 
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The local government units shall incorporate programs and budgets for the 
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conservation and preservation of Important Cuftural Property in their 
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environmental, educational arid cultural activities. 
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SEC. 31. Training Ptwgrams. 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 
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heritage programs and projects in their localities. 
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ARTICLE I X  
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CULTURAL PROPERTY INCENTIVES PROGRAM 
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SEC. 32. Donation by Private Ittdiaideals and Institutions to Cultural 
Agencies, Any donation by private individuals or institutions to cultural 
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agencies, as certified by the Commission, shall be deductible from the gross 
taxable income of the individual or institution concerned, for any of the 
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following cultural programs or purposes: 
a) purchase of National Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural Property; 
b) support for scientific and cultural research anthopological projects, 
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explorations and archaeological excavations for the Commission and its 
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cultural agencies and accredited academic and research institutions; 
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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 
f) 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 
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and cultural trust, clubs and associations through the priority programs 
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enumerated under the preceding section.. 
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SEC. 33. Incentives for Private Individuals, Collectors or Entities 
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Financing ,Archeological Excavation. Private persons who finance the cost in 
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incentives. 
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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. 
Private persons who donate for the purposes of acquisition of cultural 
property to the appropriate cultural agency shall also be entitled to similar tax 
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SEC. 34. National Heritage Resource Assistance Program. The 
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Commission may provide financial assistance in the form of a grant or a loan to 
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historic, archaeological, architectural, artistic organizations for conservation or 
research on cultural property. No grant made pursuant to this Act shall be 
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treated as taxable income. 
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SEC. 35. Awards and Citations. To encourage preservation of the national 
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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 
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achievements and important contributions and services in the area of heritage 
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preservation and conservation efforts. 
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ARTICLE X 
CULTURAL EDUCATION 
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SEC. 36. Incorporation of Nah'onaZ Cultural Treasures and Important 
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Cultural Property in the Basic Education System. Within one (1) year from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education in coordination with the 
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Commission shall formulate cultural heritage education programs to be 
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incorporated into formal, non-fomd and informal education, with emphasis on 
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the protection, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage property. 
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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. 
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SEC. 37. Cultural Heritage Education Program. Within one (1) year from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd in coordination with the Commission shall 
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set forth in the following cultural heritage education programs nationwide with 
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emphasis on the provincial, city and municipal levels: 
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. 
SEC. 38. Public AccessibiZify. 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, izzclusive 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 
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regular inspection. 
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ARTICLE XI 
CULTURAL HERITAGE WORKERS' INCENTIVES PROGRAM 
SEC. 39. CulcUral 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. 
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a) Program for Culhcral Heuitqe Workers. Within ninety (90) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Commission through the cultural agencies 
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concerned shall provide for the folIowing programs for cultural heritage 
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3) propose a general training program on conservation for local 
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government units. 
1) an active Roster of Authenticators and Roster of Valuators/Appraisers; 
2) education and training programs for conservators, authenticators and 
valuators/appraisers, and other conservation related workers; 
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b) Application of Scientific 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 eIigibIe for the benefits under the Magna Carfa 
Eligibles. The Commission shaII Iikewise establish a merit award system for non- 
civil service cultural heritage workers. 
ARTICLE XI1 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 40. Prohibited Acts. To the extent that fhe offense is not punishable 
by a higher punishment under another provision, violations of this Act may be 
made by whoever intentionally: 
1) Destroys, demolishes, mutilates or damage any any W S ,  NCT, ICP, 
and presumed ICP, archaeological and anthropological sites; 
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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 shail 
be permitted without the supervision ofa 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 incorrectly 
declares the same during transit. 
SEC. 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; 
Providedfirvthemore; That if the acts are committed by dealers, they shall suffer, 
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in addition to the penalties provide herein, the automatic revocation of their 
license to operate; Provided findy, That if the offender is an alien, he shaII be 
under the custody of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation for the 
appropriate proceedings. 
SEC. 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 additiona1 source of funding for the National Endowment Fund 
for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC 45. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete and full publication in the Official Gazette or in at Ieast two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes first. 
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