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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Replay Session 
) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B.No. 
575 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The history of one’s nation plays a central role in the formation and integration of norms, 
culture, behavior and the country’s way of life. The sociological pattern of behavior in one’s 
country is largely influenced by the practices and social patterns established by OUT ancestors. It 
is for this purpose that preserving the records of one’s historical events and cultural 
circumstances is essential in the preservation of the rich culture of a nation. 
At present, the National Historical Institute is the lead agency tasked to oversee the 
promotion and preservation of the Philippine historical heritage. 
Furthermore, the National Historical Institute is effected with tlie responsibility to 
conduct research, including the widening of the local historical committee network. In addition, 
the NHI is tasked to manage and safeguard the improvement and restoration of national shrines, 
monuments, historical sites, buildings and landmarks. 
To date, the NHI has been lacking in funds and clout to effectively pursue its duties in a 
more productive manner. 
This proposed measure, therefore, aims to rectify the above-mentioned problems with the 
end in view of strengthening the powers of NHI and effectively perform their mandated 
responsibilities. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Fivst Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
575 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF 
THE NATIONAL 
HISTORICAL 
INSTITUTE, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Generul Mandate. - The National Historical Institute ("I) 
shall 
be responsible for the promotion and preservation of the Philippine cultural heritage by 
undertaking, among others, studies on Philippine history and Filipino heroes; encouraging 
historical educational activities, including the widening o€ local committee network; and 
managing and sakguarding the improvement sites, buildings and landmarks. 
SEC. 2. 
Specific Functions. - The NHI shall assume jurisdiction over all matters 
relative to historical studies and popularization of Philippine history, including the survey and 
documentation, establishment, development and maintenance of historical sites and structures. 
Specifically, its functions shall be as follows: 
a) 
To conduct and accelerate historical research programs, including the translation 
of Philippine written and oral history here and abroad; and to act as historical 
research resource center that will provide historical research services to the public 
by maintaining a historical data bank; 


To undertake the documentation, authentication and evaluation of works of 
various aspects of Philippine history, including the resolution of controversial and 
conflicting issues; 
To compile and acquire from various sources here and abroad data on historical 
personages and events, including rare and contemporary Filipiniana materials, 
through purchase, donation, exchange, or through any other manner, of important 
historical documents, materials and objects; 
To promote the writing or publishing of works of national heroes and other 
illustrious Filipinos; 
For purposes stated in sub-paragraphs (c) and (d), to enter into negotiations or 
agreements subject to the approval of the Secretary of Education, Culture and 
Sports (DECS) with institutions and individuals for purposes of securing original 
documents or copies, photostat and micro-films thereof, dealing with the 
Philippines; 
To gather and publish source books, reports, records and documents on historical 
preservation such as surveys and inventories, and other valuable information 
relating to historical places, markers, events and personage; 
To encourage research, writing, and publication on Philippine history, including 
textbooks, biographies of heroes, accounts of historical events, and translations of 
important scholarly worlcs of Filipinos and foreigners, by providing appropriation 
as the Institute may deem necessary; 
To set a standard for declaring and classifying historical places, edifices, and 
landmarks in the country in consonance with the provisions of Presidential Decree 
No. 260, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1505; 
To study important historical events; to recommend heroes who should be 
honored by way of proclamation and special public holidays in their honor; and to 
plan and arrange for the execution of fitting activities to commemorate the events 
and birth anniversaries or centernaries of Filipino heroes; 


P) 
4) 
To tale charge of all historical activities or projects not otherwise undertaken by 
any entity or the government; 
To identify, designate, declare, classify, register and appropriately mark historic 
structures and places in the Philippines; 
To administer and appropriate with the approval of the Office of the President, 
funds donated to it by the public and the government, and proceeds from income 
in pursuance of its duties and functions; 
To work in coordination with the Institute of Philippine Languages for the 
translation of its work and materials into the National Language; 
To initiate, with the assistance of the private sector, the restoration, preservation, 
construction, or reconstruction, operation, and maintenance of national shrines, 
monuments and landmarks that have been or may hereafter be declared, 
designated, and erected; 
To take charge ofthe acquisition, donation, exchange or by any other manner; and 
the preservation and restoration of historical objects, including relics and 
memorabilia of national heroes and illustrious Filipinos; 
To take charge o f  the preparation, evaluation, verification, and approval of 
heraldic designs in the country, including the blazoning of the national 
government and its instrumentalities, the celebration of the Annual Flag Day and 
the strict observance of the country’s National Anthem and Flag Code; 
To coordinate and supervise the collection, identification, classification, 
reproduction, and release of archival materials and other historical papers in the 
possession of government agencies; and 
To work in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) towards the 
preservation, restoration, and/or reconstruction of historic sites, churches, 
structures, and places declared as national shrines, monuments and/or landmarks. 
SEC. 3. 
Historic Building Survey and Documentation. - A Historic Building 
Survey and Documentation Center shall be established within the NHI with the existing Survey 


and Documentation Section as its nucleus, to undertake the survey, identification, 
documentation, classification, designation and declaration of historic structures and edifices such 
as national shrines, monuments, and landmarks and the maintenance of national registry of 
historic structures. 
SEC. 4. 
Local Historic Committees Network. - The existing Provincial Historical 
Section of the Institute shall constitute the Local Historical Committees Network that will 
monitor, coordinate and support various local historical bodies engaged in tlie collection, 
documentation, popularization and preservation of extant historical materials found in different 
parts of the Philippines; and the recording of the oral histories to towns, cities, provinces and 
regions. 
SEC. 5. 
Materials Conservation Center. - The Materials Conservation Section of 
the National Historical Institute shall be renamed as the Materials Conservation Center. It shall: 
1) 
Provide consultancy services to collectors of historical objects that are considered 
valuable components of Filipino heritage to insure that preservation and 
recreation techniques and procedures are in accordance with the accepted 
international standards set in protecting historical objects and materials; 
Enrich and update knowledge on restoration and preservation techniques by 
conducting scientific research on these techniques to ensure the conservation of 
Filipino Cultural Heritage; 
Establish linkages between the Philippines and various international bodies 
engaged in the scientific preservation of historical and cultural objects. 
2) 
3) 
SEC. 6. 
Private Sector nnd TRY Incentives. - The participation and full support 
from private individuals and entities shall be solicited for the preservation and restoration of 
national shrines, monuments, landmarks, and other important historic edifices. 
Any person, entity or corporate body undertaking the rehabilitation of historical buildings 
and structures classified, identified and listed in the National Registry of Historic Structures by 


the National I-Iistorical Institute shall be given tax incentives equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of 
the total amount spent for the year the rehabilitation, restoration or preservation works were 
completed. 
SEC. 7. 
Other Tax Incentives. - Professional fees derived from the restoration, 
reconstruction and preservation of historic buildings protected by the Philippine Government and 
listed in the National Registry of Historic Structures shall not be included under its gross income 
and shall be exempt from laxation. 
Historical buildings declared as national shrines, monuments, or landmarks which are 
listed in the National Registry of Historical Structures and have undergone restoration, 
preservation and reconstruction shall not be subject to any tax in case of sale, exchange, or any 
other disposition. 
SEC. 8. 
Fund Raising Programs /Activities. - Souven ir and history museum 
shops shall be established by the National Historical Institute at various historical shrines and 
landmarks under its care in order to provide monetary support for the operation and 
administration of all historical shrines, monuments and landmarks throughout the country. 
The NHI is hereby authorize to print, fabricate, reproduce and sell historical souvenirs 
and replicas of relics or publications and other items of popular interest. Proceeds may be 
deposited in a special account with a government financial institution, and used in the 
publication, production and manufacture of suitable items needed in the shops and for the 
furtherance of the Institute’s objective of bringing the history of the country closer to the 
community. 
SEC. 9. 
Utilization of Savings. - The Director of the National Historical Institute 
is hereby authorized to use the agency’s savings subject to the approval of the President under 
Section 40 of Presidential Decree No. 1177, as amended, for : a) the repair and improvement of 
various historic sites and structures identified and classified under Presidential Decree No. 260, 
as amended, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and 


Sports (DECS); b) the payment of the services of contractual or temporary technical consultants 
in the specialized fields of conservation, restoration, preservation and heraldy, including 
translators, researchers and curators, who may be employed by the Institute from time to time. 
SEC. 10. 
Coordination With Other Agencies. - The NHI, in coordination with the 
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), is hereby empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for 
the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall be approved 
by the Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. 
The NI-I1 shall coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other related 
agencies of government, for the purpose of implementing tourism projects and activities. 
SEC. 11. 
Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid. 
SEC. 12. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13. 
Effectivity Clause. - 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,