Declaration of Policy
- State supports cultural development through preservation, enrichment, and evolution of Filipino national culture.
- Emphasizes unity in diversity and free artistic and intellectual expression.
Conversion of the National Museum
- National Museum converted into a government trust.
- Detached from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
- Budgetary placement under the Office of the President.
- Permanent, community-serving, non-profit institution.
- Mission includes acquiring, preserving, exhibiting, and fostering study of art, specimens, cultural and historical artifacts.
Permanent Home; Evidence of Title
- Museum's permanent home is the National Museum Complex at Agrifina Circle, including former Executive House Building.
- Title to site and buildings is deemed appropriated to the Museum.
- Certified records of boundaries accepted as evidence in courts.
Preservation of the Senate Session Hall
- Senate Session Hall preserved as a heritage symbol and relic of Philippine democracy.
Objectives
- Educational: Disseminate knowledge and develop cultural heritage professionals.
- Scientific: Conduct research in anthropology, archaeology, geology, paleontology, botany, zoology.
- Cultural: Study and preserve national artistic and cultural heritage.
Duties and Functions
- Acquire, preserve, exhibit cultural, historical, and natural materials.
- Conduct scientific and archaeological research and maintain collections.
- Document and catalog all holdings, moving to computerized records.
- Regulate cultural property excavation, preservation, and export.
- Enforce cultural property protection laws.
- Manage archaeological excavations and site preservation.
- Support research publication and scientific development.
- Require research and documentation of ethnography and arts.
- Maintain laboratories for scientific analysis and conservation.
- Organize exhibitions and educational activities.
- Secure grants and support regional/local museums.
- Develop institutional linkages for research.
Board of Trustees
- Governing body of the Museum, located in Manila.
- Composed of Education Committee Chairmen of Senate and House, Chairperson of National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 7 private sector representatives including an artist, scientist, and historian.
- Director of the Museum is ex officio member.
- Board Chairman appointed by the President; President is Honorary Chairman.
Appointment of Trustees
- Private representatives appointed by the President from NGO and business nominations.
- Staggered terms: 4, 2, and 1 year.
- Eligibility for one reappointment.
- Vacancies filled only for unexpired term.
Board Organization and Powers
- Elects 5 members as executive committee.
- Quorum is 6 members.
- Trustees serve without compensation except reimbursement.
- Authorized to establish committees and adopt official seal.
- Empowered to enact bylaws and rules including for acquisitions and fund management.
Director of the Museum
- Appointed by the Board with two assistants.
- Oversees overall operations and implements policies and programs.
- Must have proven administrative competence and museum management knowledge.
Acting Director
- Assistant Director may serve as Acting Director during vacancy or Director's inability.
- Board may change designation as needed.
Director and Assistants' Salary and Removal
- Salaries set by the Board.
- Removal by Board if interests of the Museum so require.
Personnel Training and Development
- Training programs to enhance staff capabilities.
- Graduate studies allowed on official time for technical personnel, subject to service needs and approval.
Exhibition and Central Registry Units
- Exhibition Unit to plan and execute quality exhibitions.
- Central Registry Unit to document collections aiming for computerized records integration.
Supervision over Regional Museums
- Branches with sufficient personnel or cultural value may be upgraded to regional museums.
- Regional museums supervised by Director through Assistant Director.
- Serve as local cultural information centers.
Reception and Arrangement of Specimens and Objects
- Museum authorized to receive, classify, and arrange items.
- Objects registered immediately on entry.
- Inventory maintained and updated.
- Transition from paper to computerized cataloging planned.
Laboratories and Facilities
- Maintenance of adequate laboratories for conservation, preservation, and storage.
Protection of Museum Property
- Public property protection laws apply to Museum lands, buildings, and properties.
Policing of Buildings and Authority to Deputize
- Museum may designate special policemen among employees.
- Power to deputize Police and Armed Forces for site protection and reporting.
- Local authorities obligated to report archaeological site discoveries and prevent illegal exploitation.
Incentives for Discovery of Sites
- Museum authorized to provide rewards for verified reports of archaeological, cultural, and historical sites.
Appropriation and Budget
- Continues to receive annual budget from the National Government.
- Detailed expenditure reports submitted annually to Congress.
- Budget includes funds for art collection preservation.
Museum Endowment Fund
- Established with P500 million from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes and PAGCOR earnings.
- Remitted quarterly over three years.
- Interest used for special projects; donations exempt from taxes.
- Board manages investments and annual transfers for programs.
Disposal of Unappropriated Money
- Trustees may dispose of accrued interest income not appropriated for Museum promotion.
Tax Exemptions
- Exempt from import taxes on materials and equipment used for non-profit programs.
- Donations and legacies exempt from donor's, estate and inheritance taxes.
- Board evaluates donation valuations.
Revolving Fund
- Income up to P2 million from sales and services forms revolving fund for Museum use.
Merit System and Salaries
- Professional staff with graduate degrees granted rank and benefits like National Scientists.
- Scientific personnel entitled to sabbatical leave.
- Salaries exempt from civil service salary standardization.
- Annual detailed salary report to Congress required.
Appointment and Compensation of Employees
- Board employs necessary personnel.
- May delegate appointments to Director.
Exemption from Attrition Law
- Museum personnel not subject to attrition law.
Hiring Foreign Consultants
- Museum may hire foreign consultants subject to Labor Code and laws.
Health Services
- Museum provided with adequate healthcare services.
De-accessioning Policy
- Museum allowed to institute a policy to upgrade collections through de-accessioning.
Admission Fees and Operating Hours
- Authorized to charge admission fees.
- Open on weekends and public holidays.
Special Budget and Audit Rules
- Commission on Audit and Budget Department to draft special rules for Museum fiscal autonomy within 60 days.
Penalties
- Violations of the Act penalized by imprisonment up to 2 years, fines up to P10,000, or both.
Reorganization
- Museum may reorganize structure and staffing as approved by Board.
- Existing personnel automatically reappointed unless opting for early retirement.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals inconsistent laws including legislative acts and presidential decrees.
Separability Clause
- Invalidation of any part does not affect the remainder of the Act.
Effectivity Clause
- Act effective 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspapers.