Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10066)
Republic Act No. 10066 is known as the 'National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009'.
The main objectives are to protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation's cultural heritage, establish and strengthen cultural institutions, and protect cultural workers ensuring their professional development and well-being.
A National Cultural Treasure is a unique cultural property found locally possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation, and officially declared as such by the pertinent cultural agency.
Important Cultural Property includes works by a Manlilikha ng Bayan, works by a National Artist, archaeological and traditional ethnographic materials, works of national heroes, marked structures, structures at least 50 years old, and archival material/documents at least 50 years old unless declared otherwise by the appropriate cultural agency.
Offenders may be fined not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or imprisoned for not less than ten (10) years, or both, at the court's discretion. Confiscation and forfeiture of the cultural property may also apply, along with additional penalties for dealers and juridical persons.
The appropriate cultural agency has the right of first refusal to purchase national cultural treasures, and may match any offer made prior to the finalization of the sale.
A petition must be filed with the Commission, which refers it to the appropriate cultural agency. The agency then verifies suitability, sends notice of hearing, allows position papers within 15 days, responses within 15 days, and makes a decision within 90 days after submissions are completed.
They can issue Cease and Desist Orders to suspend damaging activities, issue Compulsory Repair Orders for neglected heritage sites, conduct inspections with visitorial powers, deputize law enforcement agencies for enforcement, and recover cultural properties under foreign custody.
Local governments shall maintain heritage zones by implementing adaptive reuse of cultural property, maintaining the historical appearance of streets and landmarks, and sustaining sociocultural practices unique to their localities.
Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills recognized as part of cultural heritage including oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.