THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Reguiar Session 
1 
5 
AUG 23 1’2 :“;I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
I) 
Section 14 Article I1 of the Constitution provides that “the State recognizes the role of 
women in nation-building.’’ 
This bill proposes to contribute to this State policy by creating a National Museum for 
Women. 
Inarguably, Filipino women have made significant contributions to the political, cultural, 
social and economic life of Philippine society. Despite this precious legacy of achievements, 
however, there is no collective repository for their valuable materials and relics. 
This Museum shall serve as a permanent showcase of the women’s valuable 
achievements; the public will have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from their contributions 
to art, science, spiritual life, business, social movements and other important areas. The Museum 
will have the potential to highlight the struggle of women to achieve full emancipation and other 
human rights, including the struggle to obtain the right to vote and hold public office. It will be a 
promising venue to educate’its audience on the obstacles that women had to overcome in order to 
be recognized as equals of men. 
This Museum shall be devoted to celebrating the evolving role of Filipino women and the 
events that have become part of our national history and heritage. 


i 
- r :  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
5 AUG 23 P 2  :5r’ 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR WOMEN, DEFINING ITS POWERS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as “National Museum for Women 
Act of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the constitutional mandate to 
promote and advance the welfare and development of women, the Government recognizes the 
role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality of women and men 
before the law. 
SECTION 3. Establishment of the National Museum for Women. - To carry out the 
purposes of this Act, a National Museum for Women is hereby established. The Museum shall 
have the status and category of a national agency attached to the Department of Education. 
SECTION 4. Objectives of the Museum. - The primary objective of the Museum is to 
provide a repository for precious materials and other memorable objects of honored women in 
Philippine history, which shall consequently become part of the national cultural heritage. It 
shall also serve as the center for education and source of information on the experiences of 
women in various historical periods thereby encouraging involvement and support for women’s 
cause. 
SECTION 5 .  Functions of the Museum. - The Museum shall have the following 
functions: 


.. 
(a) Acquire, collect, preserve, maintain, and administer cultural materials, objects 
of art, archaeological artifacts, relics, and other historical materials which signify the 
contribution of Filipino women to Philippine development; 
(b) Conduct researches on Filipino women, prepare publications, manuscripts, 
scientific papers, and maintain a reference collection on the same; 
(c) Gather, identify, reconstruct, restore, and maintain a national reference 
collection on information about women, study archaeological artifacts, and deduce 
archaeological interpretation; 
(d) Plan and organize library services, guided tours, lectures, seminars, symposia 
or workshops; and 
(e) Secure and receive bilateral and international grants and endowments to 
support its programs and projects that promote and advance women's interests. 
SECTION 6. Composition of the Commission. - To carry out the objectives of this Act, 
the National Museum for Women, attached to the Department of Education, shall be headed by a 
Director to be appointed by the President from the private sector. 
SECTION 7. Tax Exemption. - The National Museum for Women shall be exempted 
from paying import taxes or tariff duties on all display materials and equipment, including but 
not limited to, books, art materials, chemicals for preservation and restoration, exhibit 
equipment, and films. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,