[REPUBLIC ACT NO.

10066] AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND

CONSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE, STRENGTHENING THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) AND ITS AFFILIATED
CULTURAL AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”.
ARTICLE I POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. —
Sections 14, 15, 16 and 17, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution declare that the State
shall foster the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture
based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual
expression. The Constitution likewise mandates the State to conserve, develop,
promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as
well as artistic creations. It further provides that all the country’s artistic and historic
wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the
protection of the State, which may regulate its disposition. In the pursuit of cultural
preservation as a strategy for maintaining Filipino identity, this Act shall pursue the
following objectives: (a) Protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation’s cultural
heritage, its property and histories, and the ethnicity of local communities; (b)
Establish and strengthen cultural institutions; and (c) Protect cultural workers and
ensure their professional development and well-being. The State shall likewise
endeavor to create a balanced atmosphere where the historic past coexists in
harmony with modern society. It shall approach the problem of conservation in an
integrated and holistic manner, cutting across all relevant disciplines and
technologies. The State shall further administer the heritage resources in a spirit of
stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of the present and future generations.
ARTICLE II DEFINITION OF TERMS SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this
Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows: (a) “Adaptive reuse” shall refer to
the utilization of buildings, other built-structures and sites of value for purposes
other than that for which they were intended originally, in order to conserve the site,
their engineering integrity and authenticity of design. (b) “Anthropological area” shall
refer to any place where studies of specific ethno-linguistic groups are undertaken,
the properties of which are of value to our cultural heritage. (c) “Antique” shall refer
to a cultural property found locally which is one hundred (100) years in age, more or
less, the production of which has ceased. (d) “Archaeological area” shall refer to any
place, whether above or under ground, underwater or at sea level, containing fossils,
artifacts and other cultural, geological, botanical, zoological materials which depict
and document culturally relevant paleontological, prehistoric and/or historic events.
(e) “Archives” shall refer to public and private records in any format which have been
selected for permanent preservation because of their evidential, historical
informational value; otherwise known as archival materials collections or archival
holdings; the place (building/room/storage area) where archival materials are kept
and preserved; and an organization or agency or part thereof whose main
responsibility is to appraise, arrange, describe, conserve, promote and make archival
materials available for reference and research, also known as archival agency. (f) “Built
heritage” shall refer to architectural and engineering structures such as, but not
limited to, bridges, government buildings, houses of ancestry, traditional dwellings,
quartels, train stations, lighthouses, small ports, educational, technological and
industrial complexes, and their settings, and landscapes with notable historical and
cultural significance. (g) “Collector” shall refer to any person who or institution that
acquires cultural property for purposes other than sale. (h) “Commission” shall refer
to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). (i) “Conservation” shall
refer to all the processes and measures of maintaining the cultural significance of a
cultural property including, but not limited to, preservation, restoration,
reconstruction, protection, adaptation or any combination thereof. (j) “Cultural
agencies” shall refer to the following national government agencies with their specific
areas of responsibility: National Museum (cultural property); the National Library
(books); National Historical Institute (Philippine history); National Archives
(documents); Cultural Center of the Philippines (culture and the arts); and Komisyon
sa Wikang Filipino (language). (k) “Cultural education” shall refer to the teaching and
learning of cultural concepts and processes.
This article is about the optics device. For other uses, see Kaleidoscope
(disambiguation). Learn more This article needs additional citations for
verification. A view of reflections of glass beads inside a kaleidoscope A toy
kaleidoscope tube A kaleidoscope (/kəˈlaɪdəskoʊp/) is an optical instrument
with two or more reflecting surfaces tilted to each other in an angle, so that one
or more (parts of) objects on one end of the mirrors are seen as a regular
symmetrical pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated
reflection. The reflectors (or mirrors) are usually enclosed in a tube, often
containing on one end a cell with loose, colored pieces of glass or other
transparent (and/or opaque) materials to be reflected into the viewed pattern.
Rotation of the cell causes motion of the materials, resulting in an ever-
changing view being presented.

Leo Jamig

Mindanao (/mɪndəˈnaʊ/ (About this soundlisten)), or still commonly known as

Southern Philippines, is the second-largest island in the Philippines. Mindanao
and the smaller islands surrounding it make up the island group of the same
name. Located in the southern region of the archipelago, as of the 2010 census,
the main island was inhabited by 20,281,545 people, while the entire Mindanao
island group had an estimated total of 25,537,691 (2018) residents. Mindanao
Mindanao Red.png Mindanao mainland in red; its associated islands in maroon
Mindanao is located in PhilippinesMindanaoMindanao Location within the
Philippines Geography Location Philippines Coordinates 8°00′N 125°00′E
Archipelago Philippines Adjacent bodies of water Bohol Sea Celebes Sea
Philippine Sea Sulu Sea Surigao Strait Major islands
MindanaoBasilanJoloTawitawiBucas GrandeDinagatSiargaoSamalCamiguin Area
97,530 km2 (37,660 sq mi)[1] Area rank 19th Highest elevation 2,954 m (9,692
ft) Highest point Mount Apo Administration Philippines Regions BARMM
Caraga Davao Region Northern Mindanao Soccsksargen Zamboanga Peninsula
Provinces List Largest settlement Davao City (pop. 1,632,991) Demographics
Demonym Mindanaoan/Mindanawan/Mindanawon Population 25,537,691
(2018) (Mindanao island group) (2010)[2] Pop. density 243 /km2 (629 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups List According to the 2015 Philippine Population Census, Davao
City is the most populous city on the island, with a population of 1,632,991
residents, followed by Zamboanga City (pop. 861,799), Cagayan de Oro City
(pop. 675,950), General Santos City (pop. 594,446), Iligan City (pop. 342,618),
Butuan City (pop. 337,063) and Cotabato City (pop. 299,438).[3] About 70% of
residents identify as Christian, and 20% identify as Muslim.[4] Mindanao is
divided into six administrative regions: the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern
Mindanao, the Caraga region, the Davao region, Soccsksargen, and the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Native ethnic
groups in Mindanao include the Lumads (namely the Subanons of the
Zamboanga Peninsula;[5] the Bukidnon, the Ata Manobos, the Mamanwas, the
Matigsalugs, the Agusan Manobos, the Talaandigs, the Kamigins, and the
Higaonons of Northern Mindanao and the region of Caraga;[6][7] the T'bolis,
the Tirurays, the B'laans, the Saranganis, and the Cotabato Manobos of the
region of SOCCSKSARGEN; and the Obo, the Mandayas, the Giangans, the
Tagabawas, the Kalagans, the Sangirese, and the Mansaka of the Davao
region[8]) and the Moros (namely the Maguindanaos, the Maranaos, the
Tausugs, the Yakans, the Iranuns, and the Sama, mainly concentrated within
Bangsamoro). Joining them are the equally indigenous Visayan groups in
coastal areas like the Butuanons, Surigaonons, and Kagay-anons of Northern
Mindanao and the Caraga region as well as the Zamboangueños of the
eponymous peninsula, along with descendants of modern settlers from the
Visayas and Luzon (chiefly from the former), among them the Cebuanos and the
Hiligaynons. Mindanao is considered the major breadbasket of the Philippines,
[9] with eight of the top 10 agri-commodities exported from the Philippines
coming from the island group itself.[10] Mindanao is known for its moniker
being The Philippines' Land of Promise.[11]

Leo Jamig

Etymology Edit The name "Mindanao" is derived from the Spanish corruption of
the name of the Maguindanao people, the dominant ruling ethnic group in the
Sultanate of Maguindanao in southwestern Mindanao during the Spanish
colonial period. The name itself means "people of the lake (Lanao)", though it is
usually translated to "people of the flood plains" in modern sources.[12]

[ REpUBLIC ACT No. 100 G 6 J AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION

AND CONSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE,
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
(NCCA). AND ITS AFFILIATED CULTURAL AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES 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 Cultural Heritage Act of 2009". 2 ARTICLE I POLICIES
AND PRINCIPLES SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. -
Sections 14, 15, 16 and 17, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution
declare that the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment
and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture based on the
principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic
and intellectual expression. The Constitution likewise mandates
the State to COnserve, develop, promote and popularize the
nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well
as artistic creations. It further provides that all the
country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural
treasure of the nation and shall be undel' the protection of the
State, which may regulate its disposition. In the pursuit of
cultural preservation as a strategy for maintaining Filipino
identity, this Act shall pursue the following objectives: (a)
Protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation's cultural
heritage, its property and histories, and the ethuicity of local
communities; (b) Establish and strengthen cultural institutions;
and . (c) Protect cultural workers and ensure their professional
development and well-being, The State shall likewise endeavor to
create a balanced atmosphere where the historic past coexists in
harmony with modern society. It shall approach the problem of
conservation in an integrated and holistic manner, cutting
across all relevant disciplines and technologies. The State
shall further administer the heritage resources in a spirit of
stewardship for the inspiratIon and benefit of the present and
future generations. 3 ARTICLE II DEFINITION OF TERMS SEC. 3.
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows: (a) "Adaptive reuse" shall
refer to the utilization of buildings, other built-structures
and sites of value for purposes other than that for which they
were intended originally, in order to conserve the site, their
engineering integrity and authenticity of design. (b)
"Anthropological area" shall refer to any place where studies of
specific ethno-linguistic groups are undertaken, the properties
of which are of value to our cultural heritage. (c) "Antique"
shall refer to a cultural property found l?cally which is onB
hundred (100) years in age, more or less, t'he production of
which has ceased. (d) "Archaeological area" shall refer to any
place, whether above or under ground, underwater or at sea
level, containing fossils, artifacts and other cultural,
geologIcal, botanical, zoological materials which depIct and
document culturally relevant paleontological, prehistoric and/or
historic events. (e) "ArchIves" shall refer to public and
private records in any format which have been selected for
permanent preservation because of their evidential, histoncal
informational value; otherwise known as archival materials
collections or archival holdings; the place
(building/room/storage area) where archival matenals are kept
and preserved; and an organization or agency or part thereof
whose mam responsibility is to appraise, arrange, describe,
conserve, promote and make archival materials available for
reference and research, also known as archival agency. (f)
"Built herItage" shall refer to architectural and engineering
structures such as, but not limited to, bridges, government
bwldings, houses of ancestry, traditional dwellings, quartels,
train stations, lighthouses, small ports, educational, 4
technological and industrial complexes, and their settings, and
landscapes with notable historical and cultural significance.
(g) "Collector" shall refer to any person who or institution
that acquires cultural property for purposes other than sale.
(h) "Commission" shall refer to the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA). (i) "Conservation" shall refer to
all the processes and measures of maintaining the cultural
significance of a cultural property including, but not limited
to, preservation, restoration, reconstruction, protection,
adaptation or any combination thereof. G) "Cultural agencies"
shall refer to the following national government agencies with
their specific areas of responsibility: National Museum
(cultural property); the National Library (books); National
Historical Institute (Philippine history); National Archives
(documents); Cultural Center of the Philippines (culture and the
arts); and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (language). (k) "Cultural
education" shall refer to the teaching and learning of cultural
concepts and processes. (l) "Cultural heritage" shall refer to
the totality of cultural property preserved and developed
through time and passed on to posterity. (m) "Cultural heritage
worker" shall refer to an individual undertaking cultural
heritage work. (n) "Cultural institution" shall refer to
entities engaged primarily in cultural work. (0) "Cultural
property" shall refer to all products of human creativity by
which a people and a nation reveal their identity, including
churches, mosques and other places of religious worship, schools
and natural history specimens and sites, whether public or
privately-owned, movable or immovable, and tangible or
intangible. 5 (P) "Dealers" shall refer to natural or juridical
persons who acquire cultural property for the purpose of
engaging in the acquisition and dIsposition of the same. (q)
"Heritage zone" shall refer to historical, anthropological,
archaeological, artistic geographical areas and settings that
are culturally significant to the country, as declared by the
National Museum andlor the National Historical Institute. (r)
"History" shall refer to a written record of past events
relating to Philippine history. (s) "Historical landmarks" shall
refer to sites or structures that are associated with events or
achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by
the National Historical Institute. (t) "Historical monuments"
shall refer to structures that !wnor illustrious persons or
commemorate events of historical v"alue as declared by the
National Historical Institute. (u) "Historical shrines" shall
refer to historical sites or structures hallowed and revered for
their history or association as declared by the National
Historical Institute. (v) "Historical street name" shall refer
to a street name which has been in existence for at least fifty
(50) years and over time has been considered h,storic. (w)
'1mportant cultural property" shall refer to a cultural property
having exceptional cultural, artistic and historical
significance to the Philippines, as shall be determined by the
National Museum andlor National Historical Institute. (x)
"Intangible cultural heritage" shall refer to the practices,
representations, expressions, knowledge and skills, as well as
the instruments, objects and artifacts associated therewith,
that communities, groups and individuals recognize as part of
their cultural heritage, such as: (1) oral traditions, languages
and expressions; (2) performing arts; (3) social practices,
rituals and festive events; (4) knowledge and practices
concerning nature and the universe; and (5) traditional
craftsmanship. 6 (y) "Intangible cultural property" shall refer
to the peoples' learned processes along with the knowledge,
'skills and creativity that inform and are developed by them,
the products they create and the resources, spaces and other
aspects of social and natural context necessary for their
sustainability. (z) "Library" shall refer to an institution
where the collection of books, manuscripts, computerized
information and other materials are organized to provide
physical, bibliographic and/or intellectual access to the
public, with a librarian that is trained to provide services and
programs related to the information needs of its clientele. (aa)
"Museum" shall refer to a permanent institution that researches,
acquires, conserves, communicatss and exhibits the material
evidence of humans and their environment for purposes of
education or leisure. (bb) "National cultural treasure" shall
refer to a unique cultural property found locally, possessing
outstanding historical, cultural, artistic andlor scientific
value which is highly significant and important to the country
and nation, and officially declared as such by pertinent
cultural agency. (cc) "Nationally significant" shall refer to
historical, aesthetic, scientific, technical, social andlor
spiritual values that unify the nation by a deep sense of pride
in their various yet common identities, cultural heritage and
national patrimony. (dd) "Natural property of cultural
significance" shall refer to areas possessing outstanding
ecosystem with .flora and fauna of national scientific
importance under the National Integrated Protected Areas System.
(ee) "NCCA Portal Cultural Databank" refers to the . specific
domain in the Commission's intranet for cultural information
that is accessed only internally with control and
confidentiality. It includes the registry of national cultural
property. (ff) "Prehistory" shall refer to the period of human
history before the introduction of the' forms of writing. 7 (gg)
"Registry" shall refer to the Philippine Registry of Cultural
Property which is the registry of all cultural property of the
country deemed of significant importance to our cultural
heritage. (hh) "Restoration" shall refer to the action taken or
the technical intervention to correct deterioration and
alteratlOns. (ii) "Tangible cultural property" shall refer to a
cultural property with historical, archival, anthropological,
archaeological, artistic and architectural value, and with
exceptional or traditional production, whether of Philippine
origin or not, including antiques and natural history specimens
with significant value. ARTICLE III CULTURAL PROPERTY '. SEC. 4.
Categories. - The cultural property of the country shall be
categorized as follows: (a) National cultural treasures; (b)
Important cultural property; (c) World heritage sites; (d)
National historical shrine; (e) National historical monument;
and (f) National historical landmark. SEC. 5. Cultural Property
Considered important Cultural Property. - For purposes of
protecting a cultural property against exportation, modification
or demolitlOn, the following works shall be considered important
cultural property, unless declared otherwise by the pertinent
cultural agency. Unless declared by the CommIssion, (a) Works by
a Manlilikha ng Bayan; 8 (b) Works by a National Artist; Unless
declared by the National Museum, (c) Archaeological and
traditional ethnographic materials; Unless declared by the
National Historical Institute, (d) Works of national heroes; (e)
Marked structure; (f) Structures dating at least fifty (50)
years old; and Unless declared by the National Archives, (g)
Archival material/document dating at least fifty (50) years old.
The property owner may petition the appropriate cultural agency
to remove the presumption of important cultural property which
shall not be unreasonably withheld. SEC. 6. World Heritage
Sites. - The appropriate cultural agency shall closely
collaborate with the United Nations Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the
Philippines in ensuring the conservation and management of world
heritage sites, of cultural and mixed sites category, in the
Philippines. SEC. 7. Privileges for Cultural Property. - All
cultural properties declared as national cultural treasures and
national historical landmarks, sites or monuments shall be
entitled to the following privileges: (a) Priority government
funding for protection, conservation and restoration; (b)
Incentive for private support of conservation and restoration
through the Commissions Conservation Incentive Program for
national cultural treasures; (c) An official heritage marker
placed by the cultural agency concerned indicating that the
immovable cultural 9 property has been identified as national
cultural treasures andior national historical landmarks, sites
or monuments; and (d) In times of armed conflict, natural
disasters and other exceptional events that endanger the
cultural heritage of the country, all national cultural
treasures or natlOnal historical landmarks, sites or monuments
shall be given priority protection by the government. All
cultural properties declared as important cultural property may
also receive government funding for its protection, conservation
and restoration. An official heritage marker shall likewise be
placed on an immovable cultural property to identify the same as
important cultural property. SEC. 8. Procedure for Declaration,
or Delisting of National Cultural Treasures or Important
Cultural Property. - The procedure in declaring as well as in
delisting a national cultural property or an important cultural
property shall be ail follows: (a) A declaration or a delisting
of a cultural property as a national cultural treasure or an
important cultural property shall commence upon tbe fIling of a
petition by the owner, stakeholder or any interested person,
with the Commission, which shall refer the matter to the
appropriate cultural agency; (b) Upon verification of the
suitability of the property as 'a national cultural treasure or
an important cultural property, the cultural agency concerned
shall send notice of hearing to the owner and stakeholders.
Stakeholders including, but not limited to, local government
units, local culture and arts council, local tourjsm councils,
nongovernment conservation organizations, and schools, may be
allowed to file their support or opposition to the petition; (c)
The owner andlor other stakeholders shall file their position
paper within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice of
hearing, furnishing all the parties, including the appropriate
cultural agency, with such position paper. Extensions may be
allowed, but in no case shall it exceed, more than thirty (30)
days; 10 (d) The petitioner/stakeholder shall give their answer
within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of any position paper.
Thereafter, no further submissions shall be allowed; and (e) The
appropriate cultural agency shall have a maximum of ninety (90)
days from the deadline of the submission of all the answers
within which to submit its resolution and render its decision on
the application. SEC. 9. Right of First Refusal on the Sale of
National Cultural Treasures. - The appropriate cultural agency
shall be given the right of first refusal in the purchase of
cultural properties declared as national cUltural property.
Prior to the finality of the sale, the appropriate cultural
agency may likewise match any offer made for the purchase of
national cUltural property. SEC. 10 .. Licensing of Dealers of
Cultural Property. - All dealers of cUltural property shall
secure a license to operate as such from the appropriate
cUltural agency concerned. They shall submit a quarterly
inventory of items carried which shall include a history of each
item. Failure to submit two (2) consecutive inventories shall be
a ground for cancellation of the license. All dealers of
cultural property shall be subject to inspection by the
concerned cultural agencies. The cultural agencies may charge
and collect fees for registration as well as for licenses,
inspections, certifications, authorizatio.ns and permits that
they issue and undertake in connection with the implementation
of this Act. Funds ge;'erated from these collections by cUltural
agencies shall be retained by the cUltural agency concerned for
its operations. SEC.ll. Dealings of Cultural. Property. - No
cultural property shall be sold, resold or taken out of the
country without first securing a clearance from. the cultural
agency concerned. In case the property shall be taken out iJf
the country, it shall solely be for the purpose of scientific
scrutiny or exhibit. 11 ARTICLE IV HERITAGE ZONES SEC. 12.
Designation of Heritage Zones. - The National Historical
Institute and the National Museum, in consultation with the
Commission and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board or
other concerned agencies, shall designate heritage zones to
protect the historical and cultural integrity of a geographical
area. SEC. 13. Maintenance of Heritage Zones. - A heritage zone
shall be maintained by the local government unit concerned, in
accordance with the following guidelines: (a) Implementation of
adaptive reuse of cultural property; (b) Appearance of streets,
parks, monuments, buildings, apd natural bodies of water,
canals, paths and barangays W>ithin a locality shall be
maintained as close to their appearance at the time the area was
of most importance to Philippine history as determined by the
National Historical Institute; and (c) Local government units
shall document and sustain all sociocultural practices such as,
but not limited to, traditional celebrations, historical
battles, recreation of customs, and the reenactment of battles
and other local customs that are unique to a locality. ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY SEC. 14.
Establishment of a Philippine Registry of Cultural Property. -
All cultural properties of the country deemed important to
cultural heritage shall be registered in the Philippine Registry
of Cultural Property. The Commission, through the appropriate
cultural agencies and local government units, shall establish
and maintain this Registry within three (3) years from the 12
effectivity of this Act. The guidelines in the registration of
cultural property are as follows: (a) All cultural agencies
concerned shall individually maintain an inventory, evaluation
and documentation of all cultural properties declared according
to their category and shall submit the same to the Commission.
For cultural property declared as immovable cultural property,
the appropriate cultural agency shall, after registration, give
due notice to the concerned Registry of Deeds for annotation on
the land titles pertaining to the same; (b) Local government
units, through their cultural offices, shall likewise maintain
an inventory of cultural property under its jurisdiction and
shall furnish the Commission a copy of the same; (c) Both
cultural agencies concerned and local government units shall
continuously coordinate in making entries and in monitoring the
various cultural properties in their respective inventory; (d)
All government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned
andlor -controlled corporations and their subsidiaries,
including public and private educational institutions, shall
report their ownership andlor possession of such items to the
pertinent cultural agency and shall register such
properties_within three (3) years from the effectivity of this
Act; (e) Private collectors and owners of cultural property
shall register such properties within three (3) years from the
effectivity of this Act. The private collectors and owners of
cultural property shall not be divested of their possession and
ownership thereof even after registration of said property as
herein required. Information on registered cultural properties
owned by private individuals shall remain confidential and may
be given only upon prior consent of the private owner. The
Commission shall operate the Registry in the NCCA portal
cultural databank. 13 SEC. 15. Conservation of Cultural
Property. - All intervention works and measures on conservation
of national cultural treasures, important cultural property, as
well as national historical landmarks, sItes or monuments and
structures previously marked by the National Museum andlor the
National Historical Institute before the Implementation of this
Act, shall be undertaken through the appropriate cultural agency
which shall supervise the same. The appropriate cultural agency
shall approve only those methods and materials that strictly
adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation.
SEC. 16. Documentation and Preservation of Traditional and
Contemporary Arts. - Local government units shall document
traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, including their
processes and makers, and sustain the sources of their raw
materials. Local government units shall epcourage and sustain
traditional arts and crafts as active and vtable sources of
income for the community. The Commission, the Department of
Trade and Industry, the Department of Tourism and other
government agencies involved directly or indirectly in the
production of goods shall assist the local government units in
protecting their traditional and contemporary arts and crafts,
making them viable for current and future markets, with a view
to encouraging and promoting the unique herItage and identities
of said communities. The local government umt concerned shall
submit an annual inventory of these documentations to the
Commission, which will be included in the Philippine Registry of
Cultural Property, as established in Section 14 of this Act.
SEC. 17. Systematic Research in Natural History. - The National
Museum shall have the authority to collect, maintain and develop
the national reference collections of Philippine flora and
fauna, rocks and minerals through research and field collection
of specimens including important cultural property within the
territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines. It shall be exempt
from any and all permit systems regulating the same. I 14 The
National Museum shall inform the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture of such
collection. All types 'of specimen collected in the Philippine
territory shall be deposited in the National Museum. SEC. 18.
Heritage Agreements. - The Commission, upon advice of the
concerned cultural (l,gency, may enter into agreements with
private owners of cultural properties with regard to the
preservation of said. properties. Such agreement shall be in the
form of a contract and may include such terms and conditions'
including, but not limited to: (a) Public access to
the .property; (b) Value of the encumbrance; (c) Duration of the
servitude of the property; (d) Restriction of the right of the
owner or occupant to perform acts on or near the place; (e)
Maintenance and management of the property; (f) Provision of
financial assistance for the conservation of the property; and .
(g) Procedure for the resolution of any dispute arising' out of
the agreement. Such agreement should be annotated in the land
title to bind future owners andlor occupants of. the immovable
cultural property. SEC. 19: National inventory of .Intangible
Cultural Heritage. - The appropriate cultural agency shall
closely collaborate with the' UNESCO National Commission of the
Philippines in safeguarding int,mgible cultural heritage in the
Philippines. The Philippine Intangible Cultural Heritage
Committee established by the UNESCO National Commission of the
Philippines shall continue to take the lead role in 15
implementing the provisions of the UNESCO Convention for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, with
particular attention to Articles 11 to 15 of the said
Convention. SEC. 20. Immovable National Cultural Treasures. -
Immovable national cultural treasures shall not be relocated,
rebuilt, defaced or otherwise changed in a manner, which would
destroy the property's dignity and authenticity, except to save
such property from destruction due to natural causes. The site
referred to in thIS provision may only be moved after securing a
permit from the Commission or the appropriate cultural agency.
SEC. 21. Indigenous Properties. - The appropriate cultural
agency, in consultation with the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, shall establish a program and promulgate
regulations to assist indigenous people in preserving tl;-eir
particular cultural and historical properties. SEC. 22. Renaming
of Historical Streets, Buildings Designated as Cultural Treasure
or Important Cultural Property. - The names of historical
streets, parks, buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments and
sites designated as national cultural treasures or important
cultural property shall not be allowed to be renamed by a local
or national legislation, unless approved by the National
Historical Institute, and only after due hearing on the matter.
Furthermore, for changes of names done to historical streets,
parks, buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments, and sites prior
to the effectivity of this Act, the National Historical
Institute may direct the local government units to restore their
original names, also after due hearing. ARTICLE VI REGULATING
THE EXPORT, TRANSIT, IMPORT AND REPATRIATION OF CULTURAL
PROPERTY SEC. 23. Export of Cultural Property. - Whoever desires
to export cultural property registered in the Philippine
Registry of Cultural Property shall adhere to the following
requirements: 16 (a) Authorization from the Commission through
the appropriate cultural agencies; (b) Application for export
permit shall be submitted tlllrty (30) days before the intended
export from the Philippines; and (c) Application for export
permit must include the following: (1) the purpose of the
temporary export; (2) the export date of the cultural property;
(3) the repatriation date of the cultural property; (4) a
description of the cultural property; imd (5) the inventory of
the cultural property in the Philippine Registry of Cultural
Property. The grant of export permit shall be based on the
following conditions: (i) the cultural property is exported on a
temporary basis; and (ii) export of cultural property is
necessary for scientific scrutiny or exhibit. SEC. 24.
Repatriation Ciaims and Agreements. - Should the cultural
property registered in the Philippine Registry of Cultural
Property be illicitly exported from the country, the Department
of Foreign Affairs shall, upon the recommendation of the
appropriate cultural agency, claim the right of repatriation
vis-a.-vis all other contracting States. Any compensation and
costs shall be carried by the Philippine government. For the
protection of cultural and foreign affairs interests and to
secure ctilturai'heritage, the Philippines may conclude
international tre;:tties with contracting States on the import
and repatriation of cultural property subject to the following
conditions: (a) The scop~ of the agreement must be cultural
property of significant importance to the cultural heritage of
the contracting States; . (b) The cultural property must be
subject to the existing export policies for the purpose of
protecting cultural heritage; and . (c) The contracting States
shall grant reciprocfll rights. 17 ARTICLE VII POWERS OF THE
COMMISSION/CULTURAL AGENCIES SEC. 25. Power to Issue a Cease and
Desist Order. When the physical integrity of the national
cultural treasures or important cultural properties are found to
be in danger of destruction or significant alteration from its
original state, the appropriate cultural agency shall
immediately issue a Cease and Desist Order ex parte suspending
all activities that will affect the cultural property. The local
government unit which has the jurisdiction over the site where
the immovable cultural property is located shall report the same
to the appropriate cultural agency immediately upon discovery
and shall promptly adopt measures to secure the integrity of
such immovable cultural property. Thereafter, the appropriate
cultural agency shall give notice to the owner or occupant of
the cultural property and conduct a hearing on the propriety o€
the issuance of the Cease and Desist Order. The suspension of
the activities shall be lifted only upon the writteJ). authority
of the appropriate cultural agency after due notice and hearing
involving the interested parties and stakeholders. SEC. 26.
Power to Issue Compulsory Repair Order. - When a
privately·owned heritage site cannot be maintained by the owner
or has fallen into disrepair through neglect to such an extent
that it will lose its potential for conservation, the
appropriate cultural agency may serve on the owner or occupant
of such property an order to repair or. maintain such site. If
the owner fails to comply with the said order within thirty (30)
to forty-five (45) days, repairs may be undertaken by the
appropriate cultural agency funded by the Commission for the
accourit of the owner. SEC. 27. Visitorial Powers. - The
cultural agencies concerned, through the Commission, are hereby
given the power to inspect national cultural treasures,
important cultural properties, and national historical
landmarks, sites or monuments at any time to ensure the
protection and integrity of such. They may also inspect public
or private collections or objects that may be categorized as
cultural property: Provided, That in the case of private
collections or objects, the prior written consent of the owner
shall be obtained. 18 SEC. 28. Power to Deputize Other
Government Agencies. - The cultural agencies concerned, as well
as the Commission, shall have the power to deputize the
Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of
Investigation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the
Philippine Coast Guard, and other local or national law
enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries' agents,
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' rangers,
the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Immigration agents,
members of the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational
Crimes and other such agencies and their successors-in-intsrest,
to enforce the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules
and regulations. The said agencies shall immediately detail
their respective personnel to protect the cultural items under
the National Registry. Failure to follow deputization order of
the concerned cultural agency as well as the Commission shall be
penalized in accordance with Section 49 herein. SEC. 29. Power
to Recover Cultural Properties. - The Commission is empowered to
recover or 'retrieve cultural properties which are under the
custody of foreign nationals or entities and to bring these
properties back to Philippine custody. SEC. 30. Anthropological
Research and Archaeological Exploration/Excavation. - (a) The
National Museum, with respect to
cultural/archaeological/anthropological matters, and the
National Historical Institute, with respect to historical
anthropological matters, shall regulate and. control all
anthropological research conducted by foreigners; and all
archaeological excavation or exploration. Pursuant to the
foregoing, the National Museum or the National Historical
Institute shall deputize other agencies to protect
archaeological and anthropological sites. It shall be guided by
the following rules: (1) All cultural properties found in
terrestrial andlor underwater archaeological sites belong to the
State; (2) No terrestrial andlor underwater archaeological
explorations and excavations for the purpose of obtaining
materials and data of cultural value shall be undertaken 19
without written authority and direct site supervision by
archaeologists andIor representatives of the National Museum;
(3) All anthropological re,searches, for the purpose of
obtaining materials and data of cultural value and where the
principal proponent is a foreign national, shall be undertaken
only with the authority and under the supervision of the
National Museum or the National Historical Institute.
Anthropological research by Philippine nationals, especially
members of the indigenous communities, shall be encouraged; (4)
Archaeological or anthropological materials presmned as
important cultural property shall be allowed to leave the
country only upon proper evaluation and written permission of
the National Muset\m or the National Historical Institute; (5)
All explorations and excavations undertaken, wherein the caves,
rock shelters and their vicinities may have been used in the
prehistoric past by man either for habitation, rl1ligious and/or
sacred and burial purposes all over the country, shall be under
the direct jurisdiction and supervision of archaeologists andIor
other experts of the National Musemn; (6) All mining activities
inside caves, rock shelters and . any such other areas shall
require a written permit and clearance from the National Museum.
An appropriate prior inspection by representatives ofthe
National Museum, funded by the company applying for a mining
right, shall be required to ensure that no archaeological
materials are present and destroyed; (7) Excavations in caves,
rock shelters and other areas by laymen are prohibited by this
Act, All earth-moving activities in these areas must have the
proper permit and clearance from the National Museum and
monitored by their representatives; (8) All treasure hunting
permits and licenses shall be issued by the National Museum,
which shall f9rmulate the rules and regulations to adequately
control, regulate and monitor all applicants for such
undertakings; and 20 (9) The provisions of this Act on
explorations and excavations of terrestrial and underwater
archaeological sites shall supersede all local, muuicipal,
regional and autonomous regional governments' resolutions and
ordinances .. (b) When the presence of any cultural or
historical property is discovered, the National Museum or the
National Historical Institute shall immediately suspend all
activities that will affect the site and shall immediately
notify the local government unit having jurisdiction of the
place where the discovery was made. The local government shall
promptly adopt measures to protect and safeguard the integrity
of the cultural property so discovered and, within five (5) days
from the discovery, shall report the same to the appropriate
agency. The suspension of these activities shall be lifted only
upon the written authority of the National Museum or the
National Historical Institute and only after the systematic
recovery of the archaeological materials. (c) The Commission,
upon the recommendation of the appropriate. cultural agency,
shall provide incentives for persons who discover arid report
heretofore unknown . archaeological sites, in accordance with
its rules and regUlations implementing the provisions of this
Act. (d) Any government or nongovernment infrastructure project
or architectural site development shall include anthropological,
archaeological and historical and heritage site conservation
concerns in their Environmental Impact Assessment Systeni.
ARTICLE VIII ROLE OF CULTURAL AGENCIES SEC. 31. Responsibilities
of Cultural Agencies for Designation of Cultural Property. - The
cultural agencies, in conformity with their respective charters
and mandates, shall define and delineate their respective areas
of responsibility with respect to cultural property and
assessment of national cultural treasures and national
historical landmarks, sites or monuments. These areas shall be
subject to periodic re-assessment whenever necessary. 21 For
purposes of this Act, the following shall be the
responsibilities of cultural agencies in the categorization of
cultural property: (a) The Cultural Center of the Philippines
shall be responsible for significant cultural property
pertaining to the performing arts; (b) The National Archives of
the Philippines shall be responsible for significant archival
materials; (c) The National Library shall be responsible for
rare and significant contemporary Philippine books, manuscripts
such as, but not limited to, presidential papers, periodicals,
newspapers, singly or in collection, and libraries and
electronic records; (d) The National Historical Institute shall
be responsible for significant movable and immovable cultural
property that p'.ertains to Philippine history, heroes and the
conservation of historical artifacts; (e) The National Museum
shall be responsible for significant movable and immovable
cultural and natural property pertaining to collections of fine
arts, archaeology, anthropology, botany, geology, wology and
astronomy, including its conservation aspect; and (f) The
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino shall be responsible for the
dissemination development, and the promotion of .the Filipino
national language and the conservation of ethnic languages. SEC.
32. Institutional Linkages of the National Cultural Agencies. -
The cultural agencies and other national government agencies, as
listed below, shall consult, coordinate and work closely with
the Commission in the implementation of their respective
programs/projects in the context of this Act. Furthermore, the
Commission may link up with other agencies and institutions, as
it may deem appropriate, as a way of dealing with conservation
in a holistic manner: 22 (a) The Department of Tourism and its
attached agencies which shall be responsible for cultural
education among tourism services, and protection of cultural
properties supplemental to the jurisdiction of the cultural
agencies as defined in this Act. The implementation and creation
of a tourism master plan shall be consistent with this Act; (b)
The Intramuros Administration which shall be responsible for the
restoration and administration of the development in Intramuros;
(c) The National Parks Development Committee as an attached
agency of the Department of Tourism which shall be responsible
in supervising the development (beautification, preservation and
maintenance) of the Quezon Memorial, Fort Santiago, Luneta, Paco
Park, Pook ni Maria Makiling and other national parks and
satellite projects; (d) The Department of Education which shall
be responsible in instituting the governance of basic education
act, and the conservation and restoration of its built heritage
such as the significant Gabaldon school buildings as determined
by the National Historical Institute; (e) The Department of
Public Works and Highways which shall be responsible in
undertaking major infrastructure projects specifically in the
planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national
roads and bridges as they impact on heritage structures or
aspects of heritage conservation; (f)·The National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples, in behalf of the country's indigenous
cultural communities, which shall coordinate with the national
agencies on matters pertaining to cultural properties under its
jurisdiction; (g) The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources which shall be responsible for the establishment and
management of the National Integrated Protected Areas System and
the conservation of wildlife resources, including cave and cave
resources and which shall coordinate with the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the conservation of natural
resources that are cultural sanctuaries of indigenous peoples;
23 (h) The Department of the Interior and Local Government which
shall coordinate with the national cultural agencies on matters
pertaining to cultural properties under its jurisdiction, and
ensure that the provisions df this Act is properly executed by
the local government unit; (i) The Office on Muslim Affairs
which shall coordinate with the national cultural agencies on
matters pertaining to cultural properties under its
jurisdiction; 0) The UNESCO National Commission of the
Philippines which shall be responsible for providing the liaison
between the cultural agencies of the Philippines and the UNESCO
as well as assist the national cultural agencies in implementing
the agreements and conventions adopted by the UNESCO of which
the Philippines has ratified or is in the process of
ratification; (k) The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board
which shall coordinate with the local government units and the
Commission on matters pertaining to the establishment and
maintenance of heritage zones; (1) The Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Administrative Region which
shall coordinate with the national cultural agencies on matters
pertaining to cultural properties under their respective
jurisdictions; and (m) The Office of the Special Envoy on
Transnational Crimes which shall have the oversight and
operational capacity to go after illicitly trafficked and stolen
cultural treasures. SEC. 33. Incorporation of Cultural Property
Programs in Local Government Units' Budgets. - The local
government units are encouraged to incorporate programs and
budgets for the conservation and preservation of cultural
property in their environmental, educational and cultural
activities. SEC. 34. Training Programs. - The Commission, III
coordination with the appropriate cultural agencies, shall
provide general training programs on conservation to the local
government units which have established cultural heritage
programs and projects in their localities. 24 ARTICLE IX
CULTURAL PROPERTY INCENTIVES PROGRAM SEC. 35. Tax Exemption on
Donations. - All donations in any form to the Commission and its
affiliated cultural agencies shall be exempt from the donor's
tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from
the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the
donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. SEC. 36. National
Heritage Resource Assistance Program. - The Commission may
provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to historic,
archaeological, architecturaL artistic organizations for
conservation or research on cultural property. No grant made
pursuant to this Act shall be treated as taxable income. SEC.
37. Awards and Citations. - To encourage preservation of the
national heritage, the Commission shall establish an annual
conservation recognition program under which monetary prizes,
awards and citations will be given by the President of the
Philippines, upon the recommen<;!ation of the Commission, for
special achievements and important contributions and services in
the area of heritage preservation and conservation efforts.
ARTICLE X CULTURAL EDUCATION SEC. 38. Incorporation of National
Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Property in the Basic
Education System. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of
this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the
Commission's Philippine Cultural Education ·Program, shall
formulate the cultural heritage education programs both for
local and overseas Filipinos to be incorporated into the formal,
alternative and informal education, with emphasis on the
protection, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage
property. 25 The Philippine Registry of Cultural Property shall
likewise be incorporated into the formal, alternative and
informal education by the provincial and local governments. SEC.
39. Cultural Heritage Education Program. Within one (1) year
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education,
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the
Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the
CommIssIOn, shall set forth in its teaching programs nationwide
the following cultural heritage education programs with emphasis
at the provincial, city and municipal levels: (a) Protection,
conservation and preservation of cultural heritage properties;
(b) Instructional materials in print, film and broadcast media
on the cultural and historical significance of cultural
properties; and (. (c) Visitation, public accessibility and
information dissemination on designated local cultural
properties. SEC. 40. Public Accessibility. - Access to natIOnal
historical landmarks, monuments and sites, whether designated as
national cultural treasures or Important cultural property by
the general public for visitation and information, and by
government representatives for inspection, shall not be hindered
except on reasonable cause. Fees, as prescribed by the cultural
agency concerned, may in appropriate cases be charged to defray
the cost of conservation, inclusive of general maintenance and
upkeep. In the case of privately-owned monuments and sites, the
National Historical Institute or the National Museum shall
arrange with the owners the schedules of visits and regular
inspection. ARTICLE XI CULTURAL HERITAGE WORKERS' INCENTIVES
PROGRAM SEC. 41. Cultural Heritage Workers' Incentives. - The
national cultural agencies, in coordinatiQn with the Commission
on Higher Education, shall initiate scholarships, educational 26
training programs and other measures to protect the well-being
of curators, conservators, authenticators, cultural researchers
or educators, historians, librarians, archivists and
valuators/appraisers of cultural property. Such cultural workers
shall be given grants, incentives and scholarships upon the
endorsement by the head of the appropriate cultural agency: (a)
Program for Cultural Heritage Workers. - Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall come up
with the following: (1) An active roster of authenticators and
valuators/ appraisers; (2) An education and training plan for
conservators, authenticators, valuators/appraisers and other
conservationrelated workers; and (3) A general training plan on
conservation for local government units. (b) Application of
Scientific Career Merit System. - Cultural heritage workers in
the civil service with a doctorate, master of science, or master
of arts degree in fields related to cultural heritage promotion
and conservation shall be given the rank and benefits of
scientists subject to qualifying standards equivalent to those
prescribed in the scientific career merit system of the
government. A cultural heritage worker involved in science and
technology in government agencies shall be eligible for the
benefits under Republic Act No. 8439, or the "Magna Carta for
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in
the Government". The Commission shall likewise establish a merit
award system for non-civil service cultural heritage workers. 27
ARTICLE XII SENTRO RIZAL SEC. 42.. Creation of Sentro Rizal. -
There is hereby created and established a Sentro Rizal whose
main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and
language throughout the world. SEC. 43. Overseas Branches or
Offices of Sentro Rizal. Sentro Rizal shall have branches or
offices in countries where there are children of overseas
Filipino workers who need to be educated about their roots, as
well as developed countries where there are large Filipino
communities. The office or branch shall be repository, inter
alia, of the following materials on Philippine arts, culture and
language: books, digital video discs, compact discs, films,
magazines, artworks, tourism promotion materials, information
materials, clc. All these shall be made available to the public,
both Filipino and foreign. SEC. 44. Coordination and Supervision
with Philippine Schools. - The Sentro Rizal shall coordinate and
supervise the Philippine schools for Filipino children overseas.
SEC. 45. Services Offered. - The Sentro Rizal shall offer
Filipino language courses for children and adults, as well as
exhibits, small concerts, poetry reading, Philippine cuisine
lessons in all Sentro Rizal branches. SEC. 46. Provision of
Tourism, Trade and Investment Materials to the Sentro Rizal. -
The Department of Tourism, as well as the Department of
Education, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the
Commission on Higher Education, the Nation.al Historical
Institute, the National Archives, the National Library, and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines, shall provide tourism
promotion materials to the Sentro Rizal overseas branches. In
the same manner, the Department of Trade and Industry shall also
provide trade and investments materials.