I,
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESHNTATIVHS
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
8422
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative lvan Howard A. Guintu
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section  15,  Article  XIV  of the   1987  Constitution  provides  that  "[t]he  State  shall
conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage apd/resources,
as well as artistic creations." In recognition of this constitutio`nal provision, Republic Act No.
10066  or  the  "National  Cultural  Heritage  Act  of 2009"  was  enacted.  It  provided  for  the
conservation  of cultural  property  which  must  strictly  adhere  to  the  accepted  intemational
standards of conservation.
On May 21,  2023, the Manila Central Post Office Building was gutted by a massive
fire.  The  Manila  Central  Post  Office,  which  was  built  in  1928,  is  a National  Historical
Landmark and an Important Cultural Property. This unfortunate and tragic incident that hit
one  of our heritage buildings is  a great setback to the  conservation of our nation's cultural
heritage.
To  prevent  other  similar  incidents  in  the  future,  this  legislative  measure  seeks  to
strengthen  the  conservation  of national  historical  landmarks,  monuments  and  shrines  by
mandating  the  retrofitting  of heritage  buildings  and  structures  to  conform  to  the  current
structural safety and fire prevention standards as well as setting up other preventive measures
against hazards that may cause damage or destruction to heritage buildings and structures.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVHS
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEHNTH C ONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard Guintu
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE CONSERVATION 0F NATIONAL HISTORICAL
LANDMARKs, slTEs AND MONUMENTs Ap`m AppRopRIATING FUNDs
THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066,
OTHER\h,]SE ENOwrN AS THE 66NAT[ONAL CULjTURAL HHRITAGE ACT OF
2009„
Be  il enacted by the  Senate  and the House Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. A new Section 15-A is hereby inserted after Section 15 of Republic Act
No.10066 to read as follows:
"SEC.    15-A.   Conservation   of   National   Historical   Landmarks,   Sites   and
Monuments  -  The  appropriate  cultural  agency  shall  implement  measures  for the
conservation  of  all  national  historical  landmarks,  sites  and  monuments  including
heritage  buildings  and  structures  registered  in the  Philippine  Registry  of Cultural
Property.   The   conservation   of  heritage   buildings   and   structures   shall   include
retrofitting  heritage  buildings  and  structures to  conform to  current structural  safety
and  fire  prevention  standards  as  well  as  other preventive measures against hazards
that may cause dainage or destruction to heritage buildings and structures; P7iovz.ded,
That the retrofitting of heritage buildings and structures shall not substantially affect
the distinctive features of such heritage buildings and structures;
SHC.  2.  The  amount  of One  Hundred  Million  Pesos  (P100,000,000.00)  is  hereby
appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the funds shall be provided
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the National Historical
Commission,  in  coordination  with  the  appropriate  cultural  agencies  and  other  concerned
agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.


SEC. 4.   If any provision or part of this Act, or the application thereof to any person
or  circumstance,  is  held unconstitutional or invalid,  the remainder of this Act shall not be
affected thereby.
SEC.  5.  All  laws,  presidential  decrees,  executive  orders,  proclamations,  rules  and
regulations,  or  any  part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,