FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
7 
JUN 30 P2 :@ 
OF THE PHlLIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introdneed by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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 our 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 the responsibility to 
conduct research, including the widening of the local historical committee network. In 
addition, the “I 
is tasked to manage and safeguard !he improvement and restoration of 
national shrines, monuments, historical sites, buildings and landmarks. 
To date, the NHI has been lacking in hnds 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 “I 
and effectively perform their 
mandated responsibilities. 
In view of !he foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 


7 JLIN 30 P 2 :LI'~ 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
v 
-eI 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND 
STRENGTHENING OF THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Conpess assem bled: 
SECTION 1. General 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 of local committee network; and 
managing and safeguarding the improvement sites, buildings and landmarks. 
SEC. 2. Specific Functions. - The "I 
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 hnctions shall be as follows: 
a) To conduct and accelerate historical research programs, including the translation 
of Philippine written and oral history here and ahroad; and to act as historical 
research resource center that will provide historical research services to the public 
by maintaining a historical data bank; 
b) To undertake the documentation, authentication and evaluation of works of various 
aspects of Philippine history, including the resolution of controversial and 
conflicting issues; 
c) 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; 
d) To promote the writing or publishing of works of national heroes and other 
illustrious Filipinos; 
e) 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; 
f) 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; 


g) To encourage research, writing, and publication on Philippine history, including 
textbooks, biographies of heroes, accounts of historical events, and translations of 
important scholarly works of Filipinos and foreigners, by providing appropriation 
as the Institute may deem necessary; 
h) 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 centemaries of Filipino heroes: 
j) To take charge of all historical activities or projects not otherwise undertaken by 
any entity or the government; 
I> 
To identify, designate, declare, classify, register and appropriately mark historic 
structures and places in the Philippines; 
I) 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 finctions; 
m) To work in coordination with the Institute of Philippine Languages for the 
translation of its work and materials into the National Language; 
n) 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; 
0) To take charge of the 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; 
p) To take charge of 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; 
q) 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 
r) To work in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) towards the 
preservation, restoration, andior 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 "I 
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. 
i) 
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 the collection, 
docun~entation, 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; 
2) Enrich and update knowledge on restoration and preservation techniques by 
conducting scientific research on these techniques to ensure the conservation of 
Filipino Cultural Heritage; 
3) Establish linkages between the Philippines and various international bodies 
engaged in the scientific preservation of historical and cultural objects. 
SEC. 6. Private Sector and Tax 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 Historical 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 taxation. 
Historical buildings declared as national shrines, monuments, or landmarks which 
are listed in the National Registry ofHistorical 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. - Souvenir 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 o f  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 heraldry, including translators, researchers and curators, who 
may be employed by the Institution from time to time. 
SEC. 10. Coordination With Other Agencies. - The "I, 
in coordination with 
the Bureau of Internal Revenue (SIR), is hereby empowered to promulgate les and 
regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Such rules and 


regulations shall be approved by the SecretaIy of the Department of Education, Culture 
and Sports. The NHI 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 Oficial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,