Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.1249

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO JR. Y. DALOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Located at the heart of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mountain Province is
home to more than fifteen ethnolinguistic groups with very rich cultural heritage and
traditions.

To this date however, there is no cultural center and museum in the province to
host, showcase and preserve the various cultural heritage, traditions and historical
accounts of the different ethnolinguistic groups in the province.

The various artifacts, traditional musical instruments and objects of cultural
significance are scattered throughout the province with a threat of disappearance if not
preserved and collected. In addition, the different literary works, songs, ballads and
documentation of traditional games have no central repository and some which are
already disappearing.

Without a cultural center and museum, the rich and unique cultural heritage,
traditions and historical accounts of the different ethnolinguistic groups in Mountain
Province are facing the danger of disappearance.

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

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1249

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO JR. Y. DALOG

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE CULTURAL CENTER AND
MUSEUM IN MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES AND
OBJECTIVES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby established a cultural center and museum in
Mountain Province, to be known as the Mountain Province Cultural Center and
Museum to promote culture and the arts. It shall serve as the institutional medium for
the protection, preservation, presentation and promotion of the cultural, artistic,
archaeological, social, historical, religious and philosophical heritage of the Province
and its people in view of the richness of their legacies and relevance to their
contemporary and future aspirations

SEC. 2. The Mountain Province Cultural Center and Museum shall be a
collaboration among the Provincial Government of Mountain Province, National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), and the National Museum of the Philippines with its concerned
affiliated cultural agencies and pertinent academic and private sector partners, and
members of the community. A mutual agreement shall be executed which shall provide
for the site, structures, governance, organization, operations and development and
shall be published within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

The Provincial Government of Mountain Province shall provide the land, choose
the site necessary for the construction or establishment, or both, and maintain the
main venue and ancillary offices and facilities of the Mountain Province Cultural Center
and Museum.

SEC. 3. To fulfill its purposes and achieve its objectives, the Mountain
Province Cultural Center and Museum shall:


(a) Compile the musical notes and lyrics of Mountain Province traditional
songs and ballads, modern and contemporary music compositions, and collect
samples of musical instruments of Mountain Province origin, design, and creation;

(b) Acquire and display a varied range of Mountain Province arts and
artifacts;

(c)_ Publish and disseminate Mountain Province literacy works, epics, stories,
and historical accounts;

(d) Compile Mountain Province literature, film, or audiovisual recordings of
cultural performances in music, dance, oral literature, and festival celebration;

(e) Compile Mountain Province epigrams, proverbs, legends, and the origin,
history and etymology of the Province, its words, names of barangays, and other
places of interest and their respective histories;

(f) Conduct performances on Mountain province music, dances, arts, literary
works, epics, stories, historical accounts and legends;

(g) Gather and document Mountain Province religious practices and
traditions, and the background and origin of Mountain Province fiestas and festivals;

(h) Compile photographs of and showcase by appropriate exhibits, Mountain
Province landmarks, historical sites and scenic views;

(i) Gather specimens of archaeological findings, and collect stones, rocks,
and other geological materials, and preserve by appropriate methods samples of
flora and fauna indigenous to Mountain province and its environs; and

() Carry out any other relevant and appropriate activities.

SEC. 4. The DPWH shall construct the Mountain Province Cultural Center and
Museum in coordination with the NCCA: Provided, That the NCCA shall provide
technical expertise and assistance to the Mountain Province Cultural Center and
Museum

SEC. 5. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA shall,
in coordination with the Provincial Government of Mountain Province, other concerned
agencies of the government, and private stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 7. Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the implementing rules and
regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,