Senate OKs bill strengthening National Museum as ‘primary keeper’ of PH heritage

Just like the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Anthropology, the entrance to the Natural History museum is free. (Photo By Patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 3.0)

On its third and final reading, members of the upper house approved on Tuesday, August 7, the measure which seeks to strengthen the role of National Museum as a “primary keeper” of Filipino heritage.

Senate Bill No. 1529, also known as the “National Museum of the Philippines Act,” was passed with 21 affirmative votes, a zero negative vote, and no abstention.

The bill, which seeks to boost the museum’s operation requirements, was sponsored by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and co-sponsored by Senators Loren Legarda and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.

Once enacted into law, the National Museum will be mandated to acquire documents, preserve, exhibit, and foster scholarly study and appreciation of works of art specimens, cultural and historical artifacts, indigenous and folk practices that represents Filipino heritage and the Philippines’ natural history.

It would also allow the museum to keep and use all of its income obtained from all sources of its operations nationwide and overseas.

Escudero said the museum would be more flexible in generating and spending its income to fund redevelopment.

He added that collectible items from donations should also qualify for income or inheritance tax deductions based on their estimated market value, particularly those considered to be of national significance and those that are important cultural properties.

The funds, the senator said, will be used for buying necessary equipment and collections items.

With this bill, Legarda also hoped that the Anti-Forgery Unit would be able to step up its operations against forgery of crafts of national artists.

“Whether it is a Amorsolo or Ben Cabrera, or any Filipino artists’, their artworks and masterpieces must be protected, both in law and practice,” Legarda said.

“As Finance Committee Chair, I will make sure that the necessary funds for the Anti-Forgery Unit will be in place,” she added.

The bill also proposes to transfer all regulatory functions of the National Museum to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) so that the museum could “focus exclusively on its operations and services” as the premier museum institution and repository of the country.

Structures housing the old Congress, the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), which are all located on Agrifina Circle in Manila, should also be the museum’s permanent site as well as the “core of the National Museum of the Philippines Complex.”

The Museum Complex consists of Rizal Park, the National Planetarium, the Gomburza monument and its plaza, and the Intramuros’ golf course.

The bill also clarifies the functions and organization of the National Museum’s board of trustees and expansion of its membership, and enhances its management through upgrading and expanding management positions to better supervise the museum’s operations, especially in the regions.

In addition, the National Museum is also tasked to maintain its existing regional museums and satellite offices with the help of the NCAA.

The museum would also allow their representatives in the Philippines and abroad to procure collections items through direct negotiation with the owners of such items.

During the International Museum Day last May, the National Museum of Natural History opened its door to the public. This glass-domed museum features the country’s unique flora and fauna, plus the replica of the world’s largest crocodile in captivity, Lolong.

Just like National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Anthropology, the entrance to the Natural History museum is free.