Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1685
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The National Museum of the Philippines houses and acquires art, specimens and
cultural and historical artifacts that are representative of the unique Filipino cultural
heritage and the natural history of the Filipino people. It manages and develops the
national reference collections of cultural heritage and natural history and displays
them in key locations around the country. In 2016, the National Museum main,
located at the old Congress building in Padre Burgos, saw a 30% increase in visitors
as tourists and locals flocked the exhibits in the National Museum Complex. This
year, the National Museum of National History of the Philippines opened and is
expected to increase the growing interests of Filipinos for museums.

This legislation hopes to strengthen the mandate of the National Museum and further
protect our national treasures, especially national artists being preyed on by
syndicates. As the National Museum is envisioned as the premier institution and
repository of our heritage, it is only right that we support it as it becomes a place that
inspires people to learn about the Filipino cultural heritage and natural history.

The bill proposed intends to give the National Museum more flexibility in generating
and spending its income to fund its redevelopment. The income mostly comes from
donations from the private sector and the national government. Additionally,
collectible items acquired by the National Museum through donations shall also
qualify for income or inheritance tax deductions based on their estimated market
value. The funds shall also be used to purchase much needed equipment and
collection items.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUI MUND ff. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no. 1685

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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"

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

SECTION 1. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8492 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SEC. 26 [Revolving Fund.] USE OF INCOME. - The NATIONAL MUSEUM IS
AUTHORIZED TO USE ITS income [of the museum] not exceeding the amount of

[TWO] FIVE million pesos [(2,000,000)] (P5,000,000) ANUALLY derived from the
proceeds of the sales of reproductions, cultural items, publications, creation,
restoration, conservation, identification, [authentication,] earings from planetarium
programs, ENTRANCE FEES, and other auxiliary [shall be constituted as a revolving
fund for the use of the museum] TO AUGMENT THE OPERATIONAL
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MUSEUM SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

"26.1 UPGRADING AND MODERNIZATION OF COMMUNICATION AND

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES;

"26.2 REPAIR AND REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES THAT
HOUSE ITS OFFICES, COLLECTIONS AND ACQUISITIONS;
"26.3 UPDATE ITS INSURANCE PAYMENTS;

"26.4 INCREASE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY EQUIPMENT IT CURRENTLY


UTILIZES; AND

"26.5 FUND EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE REPRODUCTION/ACQUISITION OF
CULTURAL ITEMS, PUBLICATIONS, CREATIONS, PROGRAMS, PLANETARIUM
PROGRAMS AND OTHER AUXILLARY ACTIVITIES, SUBJECT TO THE

SUBMISSION OF A SPECIAL BUDGET PURSUANT TO SECTION 35, CHAPTER V,
BOOK VI OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292; PROVIDED, THAT NO AMOUNT

OF SAID INCOME SHALL BE USED TO FUND PERSONAL SERVICES
EXPENDITURES"

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred twenty
(120) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Director of the National Museum shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SECTION X. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippine.

Approved,