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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Quezon City

VES

17" Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 4885,

Introduced by: HON, JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There is an urgent need for us to ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage
otherwise the future generations will not know their Filipino identity that makes them distinct
from citizens of other nations. The current situation is not encouraging. The present generation is
getting confused as to its Filipino identity since modern technology has brought into our daily
lives different traditions, practices and beliefs that we mistakenly assumed to be our very own
but in fact belong to other countries.

Cultural heritage is important because it helps people connect with others who have
similar backgrounds and provides a sense of unity and belonging. This is the reason why we
know who are our.fellow Filipinos even when we are abroad. Cultural heritage is made up of
many things large and small. We can see it in the buildings, townscapes, and even in
archaeological remains. Culture can be perceived through natural sources as well: the agriculture
and landscapes associated with it. It is preserved through books, artifacts, objects, pictures.
photographs, art, and oral tradition. Cultural heritage is in the food we eat, the clothes we wear,
the religions we follow, and the skills we learn, Sometimes we can touch and see what makes up
a culture; other times it is intangible.

Preservation of our cultural heritage is the main reason why Republic Act No, 8492,
otherwise known as the National Museum Act of 1998, was passed into law. However, the said
Jaw failed to include traditional folk arts in the identification, collection and preservation of our
cultural heritage. Folk Art is defined as “Art originating among the common people of a nation
or region and usually reflecting their traditional culture, especially everyday or festive items
produced or decorated by unschooled artists.”

Our country has many regions and within each region are different groups with different
traditions, practices and beliefs. In short, we have a very diverse society and in order to preserve
the regional differences, there is a need to include folk arts in the identification, collection and
preservation of our cultural heritage. This should be done in the regional or local level as far as
practicable, and under the supervision of the National Museum as provided for by RA No, 8942.

As such, there is a need to amend Section 16 of RA No. 8942 to include traditional folk
arts in the identification, collection and preservation of our cultural heritage. Furthermore, the


additional duties, responsibility in funding as well as the supervision by the National Museum of.
the regional museums are included in the amendment,

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPER! ‘TIVES
HB. me BOOS

Introduced by Hon. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado

AN ACT PRESERVING THE COUNTRY’S TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS AS
PART OF ITS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1.Section 16 of Republic Act No. 8492, otherwise known as the
“National Museum Act of 1998” is hereby amended to read as follows:

°Section 16.Supervision over regional museums. ~ Museum branches with ten
(10) or more personnel and/or high property accountability or cultural value
shall be upgraded to regional museums upon recommendation of the Director
of the Museum. The Director of Museum, through the Assistant Director, shall
have full supervision over regional museums and their personnel. The regional
museums shall serve as information and cultural centers offering
comprehensive and substantial collection of local archaeological finds, objects
of art, TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS and other local cultural treasures.

MOREOVER, THESE REGIONAL MUSEUMS, IN COORDINATION WITH THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) SHALL
SPEARHEAD THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF
THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE SCHOOLS OF LIVING TRADITION
FOUND WITHIN THEIR LOCALITIES.

LASTLY, THE NATIONAL MUSEUM MAY FACILITATE THE CREATION OF
SEPARATE TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS MUSEUMS IN SELECT PROVINCES,
PROVIDED, THAT THESE PROVINCES SHALL BEAR THE FUNDING FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE OF SUCH FACILITIES WITH
PERSONNEL FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACTING AS PART OF
ADVISORY PANEL TO ASSIST IN THEIR MANAGEMENT.

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22. SECTION 2. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is declared
23. as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
24 shallnotbe affected thereby.

25 SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. ~All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
26 and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
27 hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

28 SECTION 4. Effectivity Clausé. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
29 following its complete pablication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
30 general circulation,

31 Approved,