Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11961)
The main objective of Republic Act No. 11961 is to strengthen the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage through cultural mapping and enhanced cultural heritage education programs, amending the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (RA 10066).
'Cultural property' refers to all products of human creativity by which a people and a nation reveal their identity, including churches, mosques, other places of religious worship, schools, natural history specimens and sites, whether publicly or privately owned, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible.
The three grades are: Grade I Level (National cultural treasures, national historical shrines, monuments, landmarks, World Heritage Sites), Grade II Level (Important cultural property, heritage zones, archaeological sites, heritage houses, historic sites, Gabaldon school buildings, marked structures, heritage trees), and Grade III Level (all other cultural property and natural property of cultural significance in the Philippine Registry of Heritage).
They are entitled to priority government funding for protection, conservation and restoration; incentives for private support; official heritage markers; priority government protection during conflicts or disasters; and priority protection from modification or demolition due to government projects.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) referred to as the Commission, through the appropriate cultural agency, conducts hearings and processes petitions filed by owners, stakeholders, or interested persons for declaration or delisting.
LGUs are mandated to conduct comprehensive cultural mapping of their jurisdiction areas, coordinate with government agencies and cultural organizations, submit data to the Philippine Registry of Heritage, and cooperate for the preservation and registration of cultural properties.
ICCs/IPs have the right to conduct comprehensive cultural mapping of their tangible and intangible heritage and may determine if their cultural map is entered into the Philippine Registry of Heritage, in coordination with the NCIP and cultural agencies, with respect to their rights to self-governance and prior informed consent.
It serves as a repository of listings, documentation, and statements of significance of all cultural and natural properties of cultural significance registered locally and nationally. It maintains confidentiality of private ownership and supports research, regulation, planning, and preservation efforts.
Historic place names cannot be renamed by local legislation without approval from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) after due hearing. Names changed before the Act's effectivity may be restored to their original names by NHCP directive.
The Commission ensures overall implementation; CCP handles performing arts; NAP manages archival materials; NLP oversees rare Philippine books; NHCP manages historical cultural properties; NMP manages fine arts, archaeology, anthropology, natural heritage; and KWF handles Filipino languages and dialects.