SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S
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ol liir 
ri-rlatf
*17 JUL 31 All :33
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 
1 ^ 0  
RECl:A/|V ^ 
^  _
Submitted jointly by the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, Ways and Means and
Finance on 
JUL 3 1 2017_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Re: 
Senate Bill No. 1529
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 420, 556, 608, 671, 915, 1081 
and 1174.
Sponsor: Senator Escudero
MR. PRESIDENT:
The Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, Ways and Means and Finance to which 
were referred Senate Bill No. 420, introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda and Senator Maria 
Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, entitled:
“AN ACT PRESERMNG 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”
Senate Bill No. 556, introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
Senate Bill No. 608, introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION AND UTILIZATION OF THE 
INCOME DERIVED BY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998”
Senate Bill No. 671, introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FREE ADMISSION TO ALL 
PUBLIC MUSEUMS AND NATIONAL HISTORICAL SHRINES AND LANDMARKS”
Senate Bill No. 915, introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda and Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy 
S. Binay, entitled:
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR


Senate Bill No. 1081, introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION AND UTILIZATION OF THE 
INCOME DERIVED BY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998'’
and Senate Bill No. 1174, introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL PUBLIC MUSEUMS AND NATIONAL HISTORICAL
SHRINES AND LANDMARKS”
have considered the same and have the honor to report uljem back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached bill, Senate Bill No. 3.0  
J  prepared by the Committees, 
entitled:
“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 420, 556, 608, 671, 951, 1081 and 1174, with 
Senators Legarda, Binay, Trillanes IV, Aquino IV, Ejercito and Escudero as authors thereof.
Respectfully submitted:
SEN. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
Chairperson
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 
Member, Committees on Finance and 
Ways and Means
SEN. LOREN*gfLTT7ARDA^
Chairperson
Committee on Finance
Vice Chairperson, Committee on Ways and
Means
Member, Committee on Education, Arts and 
Culture
SEN. SONNY M. ANGARA
Chairperson
Committee on Ways and Means 
Vice Chairperson, Committees on Education, Arts and Culture
and Finance


Vice Chairpersom:
,CUyiJ~
SEN. ITOLO BENIffiNO AQUINO IV 
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 
Committee on Finance 
Committee on Ways and Means
SEN. J O ^  VILLANUEVA 
Committ(^on Education, Arts and Culture 
Committee on Ways and Means 
Member, Committee on Finance
GATCHAL
s e n .'si^e rW ii
Committee on feducation, Arts and Culture 
KTommittees on Finance and Ways 
and Mean's 
/
SEN. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 
Member, Committees on Finance and Ways 
and Means
SEN. CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
Committee on Finance
Member, Committee on Education, Arts
and Culture
SEN. PAN 
Committee 
Committee
LACSON
- mance
!ays and Means
Members:
SEN. MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY 
Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, 
Finance and Ways and Means
SEN. EMMANUE^Ci^itM^kNm^ D. PACQUIAO 
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
SEN. RICFMJHTJ. GORDON
^omniittpe^n Education, Arts and 
'Culture, Finance and Ways and 
Means
GRACE POE
^fmmittees on Education, Arts and 
Culture, Finance and Ways and 
Means
SEN. ANTONIO “SONNY” F. TRILLANES IV 
Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, 
Finance and Ways and Means
SEN. FRANCIS “KIKO” PANGILINAN 
Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, 
Finance and Ways and Means
SEN. RTSA HONTTVEROS
Committees on Education, Arts and 
Culture, Finance and Ways and 
Means
REGORIO B. HONASAN 
ittee on Finance
MIGUEL “MIGZ” F. ZUBIRI
Tdmmittccs on Finance and Ways and Means


FRAN K L IN M ^R I LON
? Annority Floor Leader
Ex-Officio Members:
SEN. VICENTE C. SOTTO III
Senate Majority Floor Leader
SEN. RALPH G. RECTO
Senate President Pro-Tempore
HON. AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL HI
Senate President


SE\ ENTEENTII CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 1529
RECtiVl D L'.
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 420, 556, 608, 671,915, 1081 and tt74)
pf ilirST’r.-rrlnr^
'17 JUL 31 All :33
t -
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, Ways and Means and 
Finance, with Senators Legarda, Binay, Trillanes IV, Aquino IV, Ejercito and Escudero as
authors
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AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “National Museum of the 
Philippines Act”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to pursue and support the cultural 
development of the Filipino people, through the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of 
Filipino national culture, based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and 
intellectual expression.
SEC. 3. Name of the Agency. -  The National Museum is hereby renamed as the “National 
Museum of the Philippines”, or, alternatively in Filipino, "‘Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas”.
The shortened name “National Museum” or uPambansang Mused” shall be understood as 
exclusively referring to the same, and its use in any manner or part of any name with respect to any 
institution within the Philippines shall be reserved exclusively to the same.
Hereinafter in this Act, the National Museum of the Philippines shall be referred to as either the 
National Museum or the Museum.
SEC. 4. Mandate, Duties and Functions. -  The National Museum shall be the primary 
institution of the State for the management and development of museums and collections of national 
scope or significance in the areas of historical and cultural heritage, arts, and natural history, for 
purposes of protecting, preserving, studying and promoting the national patrimony for the benefit of 
current and future generations, supporting education and social progress, and contributing to economic 
development through educational, scientific, cultural, tourism and leisure services and industries. It 
shall be a permanent institution in the service of the entire national community and its development, 
accessible to the public, and not intended for profit.
In this regard, the Museum shall:
a) Function as an educational, cultural and scientific institution that, through its operations, projects 
and programs, documents, acquires, preserves, exhibits, and fosters scholarly study and public 
appreciation of works of art, specimens, cultural and historical artifacts, indigenous and folk 
practices, and intangible cultural heritage representative of, or unique to, the historical, cultural and 
artistic heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of the Philippines, as well as their 
significance to the nation;
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b) Establish, manage and develop the National Museum of the Philippines Complex in Rizal Park, 
Manila, other central museums, as well as regional museums, sites and other facilities, and promote 
the principles of universal access by the public;
c) Manage and develop the national collections of the Republic of the Philippines in the areas of 
historical and cultural heritage, arts, and natural history;
d) Carry out pemianent research programs combining integrated laboratory and field work in 
biodiversity, geological history, human origins, pre-historical and historical archaeology, maritime 
and underwater cultural heritage, ethnology and indigenous practices, art history, immoveable, 
movable and intangible cultural properties, and similar or associated fields;
e) Disseminate technical and museological skills and support museum development in the country;
f) Extend technical assistance in the preservation and restoration of cultural properties of national 
significance; and
g) Carry out any and all other functions characteristic of public collecting and research museum 
institutions of similar mandate and national scope, in line with prevailing international principles 
and best practices.
SEC. 5. Agency Classification and Attachment. -  The Museum shall be classified as a 
National Government Agency and as an attached agency of the National Commission for Culture and 
the Arts, which shall exercise administrative supervision and budgetary and policy coordination over 
the Museum through its Head of Agency and in coordination with its Board of Trustees as constituted 
herein.
SEC. 6. Permanent Site and Complex in the National Capital. -  The whole Executive 
House, also known as the old Congress or Legislative Building, the Department of Finance Building 
and the Department of Tourism, originally Agriculture and Commerce, Building, on Agrifma Circle in 
the City of Manila shall be the permanent and exclusive site of the Museum, and shall form the core of 
the National Museum of the Philippines Complex in the National Capital.
In addition to these existing buildings, likewise appropriated to the Museum for the 
establishment and development of its Museum Complex are the following:
a) The entirety of the portion of Rizal Park in the City of Manila bounded by Padre Burgos Avenue, 
Taft Avenue, Teodoro M. Kalaw Avenue and Maria Orosa Avenue, including the roadways leading 
to the Agrifma Circle therein;
b) The existing building of the National Planetarium, located in Rizal Park and since 1975 operated 
by the Museum, with its lot as presently delineated; and
c) The monument to Gomburza by Solomon Saprid and its existing associated plaza, the median strip, 
traffic islands and west side of Padre Burgos Avenue between General Luna Street and Victoria 
Street, the entire portion of the existing golf course or former moat of Intramuros between the 
aforementioned streets and the walls of Intramuros, together with the median strip and traffic 
islands of Finance Road, which is hereby renamed National Museum Avenue.
Within one (1) year of the effectivity of this Act, the Museum and all concerned entities shall 
ensure that these properties and lands have been properly transferred and secured in favor of the 
Museum.
SEC. 7. Evidence of Title to Structures and Lands. -  Tlie record of the description of such 
structures and lands appropriated to the Museum for its Museum Complex by virtue of this Act, or a 
copy thereof, certified by the Board of Trustees, shall be received as evidence in all courts of the extent 
and boundaries of the structures and lands appropriated to the Museum.
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SEC. 8. Preservation of the Former Senate Session Hall. -  Without prejudice to its 
appropriate use in the operations of the Museum, the Museum shall preserve the former Senate Session 
Hall in the Old Legislative Building as a tribute to the legacy of the great men and women of the 
Philippine Senate for their invaluable contributions to the Filipino people, and as a relic where 
democracy and freedom reigned and events of national significance transpired.
SEC. 9. Dedication of the Museum Complex to Dr. Jose Rizal. -  The Museum Complex, 
being part of Rizal Park in Manila, shall be dedicated to the life, work, martyrdom and memory of the 
National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose encyclopedic range of intellectual, professional, and patriotic 
interests are to be imbued as far as possible in the Museum’s public operations and activities 
throughout its Museum Complex in the fields of history and literature in addition to anthropology, fine 
arts, architecture and the natural sciences, among others.
SEC. 10. Master Plan of the Museum Complex. -  Tlie Museum shall develop the Museum 
Complex with reference to the Burnham Plan for Manila of 1905, to include such institutional 
requirements as public exhibition halls, activity and function halls, office and operational spaces, 
museological and technical facilities, premises for commercial operations, vehicular parking, 
integrative infrastructure between its constituent buildings, parks and otherwise green areas, as well as 
with public transportation networks and systems, including the Light Rail Transit, and other kinds of 
public spaces, both above and below ground. The Museum shall likewise implement a design for a 
large public plaza and park fronting the Old Legislative Building, integrating it with Intramuros and 
exposing features of the former moat in this area.
For this purpose, the Museum shall formulate a Master Plan that shall be approved by its Board 
of Trustees within one (1) year of the effectivity of this Act, to be financed by the proceeds of its 
Endowment Fund should no appropriation from the General Fund be available for the purpose, and 
shall transmit the same to the President of Philippines for approval and consequent implementation in a 
systematic manner.
The Museum is also authorized to enter into appropriate public-private partnerships concerning 
property development and management to further the implementation of its Master Plan, subject to 
pertinent laws and issuances.
The said Master Plan may establish a distinct identity and delineation for the Museum 
Complex, maintaining appropriate integration with the larger area of Rizal Park as well as the 
surrounding areas of Intramuros and Ermita in the City of Manila.
SEC. 11. Central Museums. -  The central museums of the Museum shall include the existing 
National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural 
History and the National Planetarium. The Museum is hereby directed to also take steps towards the 
establishment of central museums dedicated to archaeology, maritime and underwater cultural 
heritage, architectural arts and built heritage, and political and social history, which may be established 
within its Museum Complex or elsewhere within the National Capital Region as appropriate.
SEC. 12. Regional Museums and Satellite Offices. -  The Museum shall maintain its existing 
regional museums and satellite offices and, if none exists, establish a regional museum and satellite 
office in each administrative region of the Philippines beyond the National Capitol Region, provided, 
that this regional network of the Museum be harmonized with that of the NCCA and that any 
institutional duplication be avoided; as such, the appropriate transfer or sharing of regional facilities 
between the Museum, NCCA and any other attached agencies of NCCA may be undertaken at the 
initiative of the NCCA Chaimian for the puipose of better realizing the collective mandates of the 
same.
Area and site museums and offices shall also be established wherever necessary, and under the 
same tcmis and conditions with relation to NCCA.
The specific sites of the new regional, area and site museums and satellite offices shall be 
selected based on considerations of geography, population distribution, and administrative efficiency
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as well as of outstanding national artistic, cultural and natural heritage significance, and educational, 
environmental and tourism considerations.
Appropriate staffing patterns for such existing and projected museums and offices shall be 
formulated and endorsed by the Board of Trustees for the approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management.
SEC. 13. The Board of Trustees. -  The Museum shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, 
with the following powers and functions:
a) To represent and mobilize pertinent areas of the private sector and the public sector in support 
of the mission and aims of the Museum;
b) To serve as the appointing authority for the Head of Agency and Agency Management;
c) To exercise general oversight on behalf of both the private and public sector over the 
operations and performance of the Museum througli the Head of Agency and Agency 
Management;
d) To approve strategic policies, goals and directions for the Museum where necessary, and any 
such special projects and programs as it may consider appropriate to carry out for its benefit, 
for implementation through the Head of Agency and Agency Management;
e) To administer the Museum Endowment Fund, Museum Donations Fund and Museum Income 
Fund as provided for in this Act;
f) To consider and appropriately dispose of appeals regarding administrative decisions of the 
Head of Agency, where appropriate in line with pertinent laws and issuances; and
g) To carry out such other functions as provided herein, as well as in other pertinent laws and 
issuances.
SEC. 14. Composition of the Board of Trustees. -  The Board of Trustees shall be comprise 
eleven (11) members, to be composed of the following:
a) The NCCA Chaimian, as the ex officio Chairperson of the Board of Trustees;
b) Seven (7) representatives of the private sector, all citizens of the Philippines, each with a 
demonstrated personal or professional commitment to the mission and aims of the Museum, to 
include one (1) distinguished Filipino artist, architect or cultural worker, one (1) distinguished 
Filipino anthropologist or historian, and one (1) distinguished Filipino scientist in the field of 
natural history;
c) The Chairperson of the appropriate Committee of the Senate covering the field of culture, as an 
ex qffiicio member;
d) The Chairperson of the appropriate Committee of the House of Representatives covering the 
field of culture, as an ex qffiicio member; and
e) The Director-General of the Museum, as an ex qffiicio member.
SEC. 15. Appointment of Trustees. -  The private sector representatives shall be appointed by 
the President of the Philippines for a term of four (4) years, and are eligible for reappointment to 
succeeding tenns of four (4) years, based on merit and performance. Appointment to a position vacated 
due to death, disability, resignation or any similar cause, shall be for the duration of said unexpired 
term only.
A Co-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be designated by the President from among 
the representatives of the private sector appointed by him or her, and such designation shall be
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effective for the current term of the representative concerned. In the absence of any such designation, 
the Board may elect an Acting Co-Chairperson until such designation is made by the President.
This Section shall be effective only with respect to the appointment of new Trustees after the 
effectivity of this Act, and upon the expiry of the respective temis of incumbent Trustees, if any.
SEC. 16. Organization of the Board of Trustees. -  Tlie Board of Trustees shall meet at any 
agreed location within the Philippines, and the presence of six (6) of its members shall constitute a 
quorum.
The members of the Board of Trustees shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled 
to an appropriate honorarium for attendance at regular meetings to be held no less than once every 
three (3) months, and at any such special meetings as may be called, in accordance with pertinent laws 
and guidelines, as well as appropriate expenses and allowances related to travel and participation in the 
official activities of the Museum, within the Philippines and overseas, with the necessity of such to be 
certified by the Director-General of the Museum and authorized by the NCCA Chairman.
The Board of Trustees shall establish an Executive Committee of five (5) members, to include 
the Co-Chairperson of the Board and the Director-General of the Museum together with three (3) of 
their members to be elected as such. The Board may establish such other committees as it may deem 
proper.
The President of the Philippines shall be the Patron and Honorary Chairperson of the Museum.
The Board is authorized to adopt an official seal which shall be judicially noticed and to make 
such bylaws, rules, and regulations, as it deems necessary for the administration of its functions under 
this Act, including the organization and procedure of the Board and any other matter that falls within 
the ambit of its powers and functions, pursuant to this Act and existing laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 17. Head of Agency and Management of the Museum. -  Tlie Museum shall be headed 
by a Director-General, who shall be the Head of Agency and have the rank and emoluments of an 
Undersecretary. There shall likewise be two (2) Deputy Directors-General of the Museum: one (1) 
Deputy Director-General for Museums and one (1) Deputy Director-General for Administration, who 
shall respectively have the rank and emoluments of an Assistant Secretary.
The central and regional museums and satellite offices of the Museum shall be managed under 
the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General by the following seven (7) Directors, who shall 
have the rank and emoluments of a Bureau Chief:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Director of the National Museum of Fine Arts;
Director of the National Museum of Anthropology;
Director of the National Museum of Natural History and the National Planetarium;
Director of the National Museum of Archaeology and Maritime Heritage;
Director of National Museums and Sites (Northern Philippines), covering the six (6) present 
administrative regions in Luzon of Region I, Region II, the Cordillera Administrative Region, 
Region III, Region IV-A and and Region V;
Director of National Museums and Sites (Central Philippines), covering the five (5) present 
administrative regions in MIMAROPA and the Visayas of Region IV-B, Region VI, the Negros 
Island Region, Region VII, and Region VIII; and
Director of National Museums and Sites (Southern Philippines), covering the six (6) present 
administrative regions in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago of Region IX, Region X, Region 
XI, Region XII, Region XIII, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Each Director enumerated above shall be respectively assisted by an Assistant Director, who 
shall have the rank and emoluments of an Assistant Bureau Chief Changes in their designations and 
any additional such third-level positions as may be necessary to create for the appropriate management 
of the said central and regional museums and satellite offices provided for by this Act shall be 
endorsed by the Board of Trustees for the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.
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All the aforementioned positions shall be occupied by persons who are citizens of the 
Philippines, with a proven track record of competent administration, superior appropriate knowledge of 
museum or relevant institutional operations or management, and a demonstrable personal or 
professional commitment to the mission and aims of the Museum.
SEC. 18. Appointment and Term of the Head of Agency and Agency Management. -  The 
Director-General, Deputy Directors-General, Directors and Assistant Directors provided for herein 
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the National Museum for a term of four (4) years, and 
are eligible for reappointment to succeeding tenns of four (4) years, based on merit and perfonnance. 
Appointment to a position vacated due to death, disability, resignation or any similar cause, shall be for 
the duration of said unexpired term only.
Each shall be provided with appropriate support staff of cotemiinous term with the incumbent, 
as endorsed by the Board of Trustees for the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.
The Board of Trustees may also appoint or designate persons to the aforementioned positions in 
an acting capacity in cases of vacancy, illness, absence or other cause, and may change such 
appointment or designation from time to time as the interests of the Museum may in its judgment 
require.
The existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the National Museum shall be 
amended so as to integrate appropriately the provisions of this Act. The incumbent Director and two 
(2) Assistant Directors, if any, shall be automatically upgraded to the posts of Director-General and 
Deputy Directors-General as provided herein, and shall be granted a term of one (1) year upon 
effectivity of this Act before their performance is subject to review by the Board of Trustees for 
purposes of reappointment, if any, as provided herein.
SEC. 19. Appropriation. -  The Museum shall continue to submit and receive its annual 
budget from the general appropriations of the National Government, covering the entirety of its 
mandated operations and functions, as well as all programs and projects approved by the Department 
of Budget and Management.
SEC. 20. Retention of Income and Disposition of Donated Funds. -  The Museum is hereby 
authorized to retain the entirety of its income from all sources of its operations nationwide and 
overseas, and to expend the same for any purpose in benefit of the Museum as may be authorized by its 
Board of Trustees, in accordance with this Act and other laws pertinent to the Museum and any special 
provisions as may be provided for in the General Appropriations Act for any given fiscal year. Such 
income shall be placed in a dedicated Museum Income Fund, and may accumulate for disbursement in 
future fiscal years if not expended within the fiscal year in which the said income was generated.
The Museum shall be authorized to accept anonymous donations of money, in Philippine or 
foreign currency, from its visitors, which shall be considered as gratuities and part of the income of the 
Museum, and which shall be credited to the said Museum Income Fund. Such donations may be 
accepted through the placement of donation boxes or by persons authorized for the purpose by the 
Director-General of the Museum. The handling and accounting of such donations shall be subject to 
rules and regulations to be prescribed by the Museum in agreement with the Commission on Audit 
within six (6) months of the effectivity of this Act.
The Museum shall not charge admission fees to the general public throughout its central and 
regional network, with the exception of special activities, programs or temporary exhibitions for which 
appropriate fees may be charged upon approval by the Director-General. The Museum shall be allowed 
to recommend to visitors a schedule of donations, to be formulated and approved by its Board of 
Trustees, the handling and accounting of the proceeds of which shall fall within the said agreement 
between the Museum and the Commission on Audit.
The existing Revolving Fund of the Museum is hereby abolished, and its balance shall be 
transferred to the Museum Income Fund as herein established.
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Donations of moneys covered by legally executed deeds of donation shall be placed in a 
dedicated Museum Donations Fund, to be disbursed according to the terms and purposes of the 
respective deeds or, in cases where no specific purposes are stipulated, to be otherwise disbursed for 
any purpose in benefit of the Museum as may be authorized of the Board of Trustees.
As a general principle, and unless otherwise provided for by law, the retained income of, and 
anonymous donations and donations covered by deeds of donation that do not have any specified 
purpose to, the Museum, shall be applied to the purchase of capital assets for the benefit of the 
Museum, including real properties and movable assets such as equipment and collections items. In all 
cases, the disbursement of such funds shall be subject to the authorization of the Board of Trustees and 
consequent approval by the Director-General of the Museum.
SEC. 21. Museum Endowment Fund. -  The existing Museum Endowment Fund shall 
continue to be utilized for the puipose of implementing such special programs, projects and activities 
of the Museum that the Board of Trustees may approve in furtherance of its mandate and which are not 
covered by the general appropriations of the Museum that shall continue to fully provide for its regular 
operating budget.
The Museum Endowment Fund shall be directly administered by the Board of Trustees, which 
shall be allowed to appoint professional fund managers for the purpose of appropriately managing and 
investing the Fund on its behalf Rules governing such administration, management and investment 
shall be similar to those pertaining to relevant government financial institutions, and shall be agreed 
between the Museum, the Department of Finance, and other concerned government agencies.
The initial principal of the Endowment Fund shall amount to Five Hundred Million Philippine 
Pesos (P500,000,000), to be derived from the amount of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Philippine 
Pesos (P250,000,000) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the amount of Two 
Hundred and Fifty Million Philippine Pesos (P250,000,000) from the Philippine Amusement and 
Gaming Corporation. Taking into account past remittances, only the outstanding balances from either 
agency is hereby appropriated, to be payable in quarterly remittances with a period of three (3) years 
from the effectivity of this Act until the prescribed total amount has been reached.
Donations made to the Endowment Fund of the Museum shall be explicitly made and executed 
for the purpose, and once credited to it shall be considered as part of its principal. Such donations and 
bequests will be exempt from any and all taxes.
Only the interest of the Endowment Fund may be expended by the Board of Trustees, whieh 
shall authorize, as appropriate, the transfer of necessary amounts to a corresponding special projects 
account to be disbursed through the Head of Agency.
SEC. 22. Exemption from Taxes. -  Tlie Museum shall be exempt from paying import taxes 
and tariff duties on all items that are to be directly used in its operations, including but not limited to 
books and other printed or digital publications, films and other similar media, art materials, chemieals 
for preservation and restoration, exhibit and technical supplies and equipment, and any item acquired 
or in the process of being acquired for its collections.
Donations and legacies to the Museum in the form of money or in kind, other than collections 
items as provided for in Section 31, shall be exempt from donor's, estate and inheritance taxes.
For donations in kind, excepting collections items, the Board of Trustees shall recommend to 
tax authorities the appropriate amount of exemption for donations of objects or donations in kind: 
provided, that the Board shall refer to qualified external evaluators to determine the proper valuation of 
the donation.
SEC. 23. Tax Incentives for Donations of Items to the Museum Collections. -  All donations 
of such items as the Museum might seek to acquire for its collections shall qualify for deductions 
against income and/or inheritance taxes based on their estimated market value in Philippine Pesos as 
certified by a resolution of the Board of Trustees, which shall formulate the said estimate upon the
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advice of the Museum and external experts, if appropriate, should no market or appraised value, in 
Philippine or foreign currency, within the last two (2) years be available for the item in question.
The extent of the deductions shall be as follows;
a) One hundred and fifty (150) percent of the estimated market value in Philippine pesos for any 
work of national significance which the Board of Trustees will approve for acceptance by the 
Museum;
b) Two hundred (200) percent of the estimated market value in Philippine pesos for any work of 
important and outstanding national significance, that of the level of Important Cultural 
Property, which the Board of Trustees will approve for acceptance by the Museum, and which 
the Director-General will endorse for declaration by the pertinent authority as such, if not 
already so declared, immediately after its donation; and
c) Three hundred (300) percent of the estimated market value in Philippine pesos for any work of 
the most exceptional and extraordinary national significance, that of the level of National 
Cultural Treasure, which the Board of Trustees will approve for acceptance by the Museum, 
and which the Director-General will endorse for declaration by the pertinent authority as such, 
if not already so declared, immediately after its donation.
Deductions against taxable inheritance applied for under this Act that may exceed the total 
amount owed may be deductible from the taxable income of the legal heirs within the current year or 
otherwise spread over a maximum of five (5) consecutive years including the current year.
Deductions against taxable income applied for under this Act may be made in full for within 
the current year or otherwise spread over a maximum of five (5) consecutive years including the 
current year.
SEC. 24. Procurement of Items for the Museum Collections. -  The procurement of items by 
the Museum for its collections, charged to any of its sources of funds as may be allowed, and 
authorized by the Head of Agency and/or the Board of Trustees as herein provided, shall be regarded 
as a unique and special case, and is thereby exempted from all laws, rules and regulations regarding 
government procurement.
The Museum, as a general rule, shall be allowed to procure collections items by means of direct 
negotiation with the owners of such items, or their duly designated agents or representatives, in the 
Philippines and abroad, as follows:
a) A written and signed quotation for the sale of the item(s), shall be issued and addressed to the 
Museum by the owner, or his or her agent or representative;
b) A certification that the item to be acquired is of appropriate significance to the Museum and of 
importance to the heritage and patrimony of the Filipino people, that the negotiated price is 
reasonable and fair, that no conflicts of interest as may be defined by prevailing laws, rules and 
regulations exist, and that the item in question has not been illegally acquired or trafficked, 
shall be issued by the Head of Agency;
c) For items above One Million Philippine Pesos (PI,000,000) or its foreign currency equivalent 
in price, the Head of Agency shall recommend in writing to the Board of Trustees the issuance 
of a resolution for the approval in principle of the transaction; items under this amount may be 
procured upon the sole authority of the Head of Agency provided, that there is no “splitting” as 
defined in pertinent procurement laws, rules and regulations;
d) A resolution of the Board of Trustees approving in principal the purchase of the concerned item 
by the Museum and authorizing the signing by Head of Agency of a Deed of Sale as well as all 
other documents to the transaction shall be issued for items above One Million Philippine Pesos 
(P1,000,000) or its foreign currency equivalent in price;
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e) A resolution of the Bids and Awards Committee of the Museum verifying that the 
aforementioned documents, where applicable, have been produced, certifying as to the 
availability of funds, and authorizing the issuance of a Notice of Award pertaining to the 
purchase of the item(s) for the signature of the Head of Agency, shall be issued;
f) After the Notice of Award has been issued, the execution of the Deed of Sale by the Head of 
Agency shall be made, after which the Bids and Awards Committee of the Museum shall issue 
the Notice to Proceed which, once signed by the Head of Agency, shall authorize the 
processing of payment in Philippine or foreign currency to the seller; receipt of payment in 
Philippine or foreign currency shall be acknowledged by an official receipt or, in cases where 
the issuance of an official receipt is not possible, any legal equivalent;
g) Payment for collections items made under this provision shall be made by the National 
Museum gross of any deductions for tax. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner, or his 
agent or representative, to pay all direct and indirect taxes owed to Philippine and pertinent 
foreign authorities from the sale of the item as may be due under existing, laws, rules and 
regulations of the Philippines and any pertinent foreign jurisdiction; and
h) Certified true copies of all the aforementioned documents shall be posted within the designated 
public place of the Museum and on its official website for at least six (6) months, as well as 
transmitted to the Commission on Audit through the resident auditor of the Museum, the 
Department of Budget and Management, the Government Procurement Policy Board, the 
Bureau of Internal Revenue and, if the item has been acquired from abroad and is being 
imported into the Philippines, the Bureau of Customs.
SEC. 25, Movable Cultural Properties and Collections of the National Government. - All
movable cultural properties of national significance, including natural history specimens, owned by all 
agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including Government Owned and 
Controlled Corporations, that fall within the coverage of the Museum as provided for in this Act, 
particularly works of fine and applied art, archaeological and historical artifacts, relics of built heritage, 
and ethnographic materials, shall be registered with the Museum and fonn part of a general inventory 
and catalogue of national government collections in these areas that will be produced and published by 
it within three (3) years of the effectivity of this Act. and updated annually thereafter to incorporate 
any changes as reported by the agencies concerned to the Museum. Such national government 
collections shall be considered as being held in trust for the Filipino people and shall not be alienated 
or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the Museum, in accordance its policies on de- 
accessioning as provided for in this Act.
The Museum shall have the authority to request the transfer or loan of any such national 
government collections, or any item pertaining thereto, for purposes of protection, preservation, study 
or public exhibition, and such requests shall be given the very highest consideration by the head of the 
agency, instrumentality, or government owned or controlled corporation concerned. Likewise, all such 
entities of the National Government are enjoined to offer for transfer or loan to the Museum such items 
of movable cultural property as they may possess, in support of the aforementioned purposes and the 
mandate of the Museum.
SEC. 26. Commercial Operations of the Museum. -  The National Museum shall be 
authorized to undertake commercial operations, the proceeds of which shall be credited to the Museum 
Income Fund as established herein, and which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a) The rental of dedicated areas for external events, functions and similar activities, the terms and 
conditions for which shall be prescribed by the Museum according to a schedule of fees 
approved by the Board of Trustees;
b) The lease of dedicated areas for the erection and operation of commercial establishments, 
which the Museum shall be allowed to award, through public bidding, and giving preference to 
non-profit organizations of a nature related to or supportive of its mandate, for a term of up to 
five (5) years per contract;
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c) The lease of dedicated areas for the erection and operation of vehicular parking, which the 
Museum shall be allowed to award, through public bidding, to qualified firms, for a term of up 
to five (5) years per contract; and
d) The production and/or licensing of official merchandise, including publications and audio­
visual media, which the Museum shall be allowed to award, through public bidding, and giving 
preference to non-profit organizations of a nature related to or supportive of its mandate, for a 
tenn of up to five (5) years per contract.
The Museum shall be authorized to outsource, through public bidding, all general, non- 
museological, property management, including security and maintenance operations, pertaining to its 
real properties, particularly its Museum Complex, for a term of up to five (5) years per contract, the 
funds for which shall be provided by general appropriations in each year.
SEC. 27. Personnel Training, Development and Performance Incentives. -  The Museum 
shall undertake training and development programs to upgrade the capabilities of its personnel in the 
various functions of the Museum. Personnel shall be allowed to train or study, in the Philippines or 
abroad, on official time, subject to the needs of the service, upon approval of the Director-General of 
the Museum.
Museum personnel belonging to the Scientific Career System shall be allowed one (1) year of 
paid sabbatical leave for every five (5) years of at least very satisfactory service in the Museum, 
provided, that the said sabbatical leave shall contribute appropriately towards the scientific research 
agenda of the Museum and be embodied in a legally-binding instrument to that effect to be approved 
by the Director-General of the Museum.
A system of monetary incentives in addition to general incentives for government employees 
shall be established in the Museum to reward superior performance and milestones of professional 
development on the part of management and administrative and technical personnel of the Museum, to 
be fonnulated together with appropriate procedures by the Board of Trustees and approved by the 
Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission.
Such monetary incentives may be funded from any available and allowable sources, including 
the General Fund, Museum Income Fund, Museum Donations Fund and Museum Endowment Fund. 
The granting of all monetary incentives established by virtue of this section shall be approved of the 
Board of Trustees.
SEC. 28. De-Accessioning Policy. -  The Museum may provide for a de-accessioning policy 
with regard to its eollections, except in those cases where it is restricted by terms of donations or by 
prevailing laws. Tlie de-accessioning of any item shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees in 
each and every case.
SEC. 29. Reorganization of the Museum. -  Except where the provisions of Section 17 and 18 
of this Act shall apply, the Board of Trustees shall be allowed whenever there is, it is judgement, a 
need for such, to propose a reorganization of the Museum, or changes to its organizational structure or 
staffing pattern, to be endorsed for the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.
SEC. 30. Transfer of Regulatory Functions. -  All regulatory functions of the Museum, as 
provided for by Republic Act No 4846, Presidential Decree No. 374, Republic Act No. 8492, Republic 
Act No. 9105, Republic Act No. 10066, and all other laws and issuances, are hereby transferred to the 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, together with concerned organizational units and 
regular plantilla items in the central office of the Museum.
Tills section notwithstanding, the Museum is enjoined to provide all technical and expert 
assistance within its mandated competencies as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts may 
require in the execution of the said regulatory functions.
It shall be a matter of policy that the Museum not be mandated to engage in any regulatory 
function, except that which is prescribed in Section 25 of this Act pertaining to national government
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collections, but shall rather focus exclusively on developing itself as the premier museum institution 
and repository of the State in the areas provided herein and by other laws.
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. -  Republic Act No. 8492 is hereby repealed in toto\ Republic Act 
No. 4846, Presidential Decree No. 374, Republic Act No. 9105, Republic Act No. 10066 and all other 
laws and issuances to the extent that they are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly.
SEC. 32. Separability Clause. -  If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.
SEC. 33. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes 
first.
Approved,
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