Law Summary
Definitions of Key Terms
- Adaptive reuse: Using historic buildings for new purposes while preserving integrity.
- Anthropological and archaeological sites: Locations important for cultural and historical research.
- Antique: Cultural properties over 100 years old.
- Built heritage: Historic architectural and engineering structures.
- Cultural property: Products of human creativity representing identity, including movable and immovable, tangible and intangible items.
- Cultural mapping: Systematic identification and documentation of community cultural resources.
- Heritage zones and heritage houses: Geographical areas and ancestral houses with cultural significance.
- National cultural treasures and important cultural properties: Categories of cultural assets with exceptional significance.
- Intangible cultural heritage: Practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills identified as cultural heritage.
- Various cultural agencies identified with respective responsibilities.
Categorization of Cultural and Natural Properties
- Grade I: National cultural treasures, historic sites, World Heritage Sites, and other international heritage recognitions.
- Grade II: Important cultural properties, heritage zones, archaeological sites, heritage houses, and marked structures.
- Grade III: Other local cultural properties listed in the Philippine Registry of Heritage.
Privileges for Grade I and II Cultural Properties
- Priority government funding for protection and restoration.
- Incentives for private conservation support.
- Official heritage markers.
- Priority protection during armed conflict and disasters.
- Protection against government projects’ adverse impacts with mandatory consultation.
Declaration and Delisting Procedures
- Petition initiated by owner, stakeholders or interested persons.
- Verification and notice of hearing by cultural agencies.
- Opportunity for stakeholders and owners to file position papers.
- Decision by appropriate cultural agency within 90 days.
- Exemption for properties protected under other laws.
Registration and Preservation of Heritage Properties
- Mandatory registration of all cultural and natural properties of cultural significance in the Philippine Registry of Heritage.
- Philippine Registry of Heritage maintains confidentiality of private ownership information.
- Cultural agencies and local government units (LGUs) to maintain inventories and coordinate updates.
- Private owners retain ownership after registration; consent required before information disclosure.
Mandated Cultural Mapping by LGUs and ICC/IPs
- LGUs to conduct comprehensive cultural mapping with partnerships from relevant government agencies, NGOs, academic and private institutions.
- Required submission of data to the Philippine Registry of Heritage.
- Detailed coordination with various national agencies per sector (e.g., education, agriculture, environment, tourism, health).
- Indigenous cultural communities/Indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) empowered to conduct their own cultural mapping.
- Free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) required for data inclusion concerning ICCs/IPs.
Creation of Cultural Mapping, Research, and Planning Division
- Division within the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to manage cultural mapping outputs.
- Provides technical assistance and facilitates coordination among LGUs and communities.
Protection of Historic Place Names
- Renaming historic place names requires approval from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) following due hearing.
- Restoration of original names may be directed by NHCP for names changed prior to this Act.
Powers of the Commission
- Authority to issue cease and desist orders and compulsory repair orders.
- Visitorial powers over cultural properties.
- Capacity to deputize other government agencies and recover cultural property.
- Supervision of anthropological and archaeological research.
Roles and Responsibilities of Cultural Agencies
- Defined jurisdiction for cultural mapping, designation, and registration of cultural properties.
- Coordination with other government agencies such as the Department of Tourism, Department of Education, DENR, NCIP, and others for holistic heritage conservation.
- Support for the conservation of various cultural assets including performing arts, archives, libraries, historical monuments, and natural heritage.
Cultural Property Incentive Programs and Education
- Implementation of tax exemptions on donations and national heritage resource assistance.
- Awards and citations for cultural heritage efforts.
- Integration of national cultural treasures and important cultural properties into basic and higher education curricula.
- Development of cultural heritage competencies focusing on protection, research, utilization, and indigenous knowledge.
- Coordination with education and cultural agencies to promote cultural heritage appreciation at all educational levels.
Budget Appropriations and Oversight
- Initial funding appropriation of 500 million pesos.
- Inclusion in annual General Appropriations for continued implementation.
- Creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor implementation.
Implementing Rules, Separability, Repealing Clauses, and Effectivity
- Rules and regulations to be promulgated within 60 days of effectivity.
- Unconstitutional provisions do not affect other sections.
- Repeal or modification of inconsistent laws and regulations.
- Effectivity after 15 days following publication.