Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- State policy to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage.
- Artistic and historic wealth are national cultural treasures under state protection.
- The state aims to strengthen nationalism, love of country, respect for heroes, and pride through Philippine history.
- Emphasizes the importance of national and local history in daily life.
- Prioritizes both historical research and the popularization of history to build national identity unified by shared history.
Definition of Terms
- Built heritage: Architectural and engineering structures of historical and cultural significance.
- Classified: Structures/sites listed in the NHCP's National Registry not falling under the five main categories.
- Conservation: Measures to maintain cultural significance including preservation, restoration, reconstruction.
- Documentation: Permanent recording of NHCP research and activities.
- Heritage houses: Houses of ancestry of notable historical and cultural value as declared by NHCP.
- Historic site: Places with important historical significance.
- Historical street name: Existing for at least fifty years.
- History: Study and record of past people, places, and events.
- History museum: Place with relics and resources for public appreciation and education.
- Historical research: Scholarly investigation of past events and places.
- Historical writing: Scholarly documentation of past.
- National historical landmarks, monuments, shrines: Sites, structures memorializing significant history.
- National registry: Record of all historic sites and structures.
- Preservation: Activities preventing damage or deterioration of cultural property.
- Restoration: Technical intervention to return cultural property to original state.
Renaming of the National Historical Institute
- National Historical Institute (NHI) renamed to National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
- NHCP is an independent agency attached to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA).
General Mandate
- NHCP is the primary agency responsible for official Philippine history.
- Authority over factual matters of Philippine history.
- Conduct research on national and local history.
- Develop educational materials and programs to popularize history.
- Implement conservation and protection of historical movable and immovable objects.
- Manage and administer shrines, monuments, sites, and landmarks.
- Resolve historical controversies or issues.
The Board
- NHCP governed by a nine-member Board to formulate and implement policies.
Powers and Functions of the Board
- Conduct and encourage historical research.
- Acquire historical documents and properties.
- Determine preservation and restoration of heritage sites.
- Approve declarations of historic places and heritage houses.
- Prescribe commemoration of historical events.
- Initiate and promote popularization programs including school curriculum integration.
- Resolve historical disputes with finality.
- Enforce Flag Law and other relevant laws.
- Receive donations, grants, and endowments.
- Develop consortium agreements linking agencies and entities.
- Regulate preservation activities.
- Generate funds and collect reasonable fees.
- Approve grants, create committees, and deputize individuals.
- Conduct public hearings and inspections on historical issues.
- Approve annual budget for NHCP.
- Appoint Deputy Executive Directors.
- Exercise oversight of NHCP administration.
Composition of the Board
- Chairperson and five distinguished historians from private sector appointed by the President.
- Regular members vote on research and academic matters.
- Ex officio members: Directors/Executive Directors of National Library, National Museum, National Archives, and NHCP.
Qualifications of Regular Members
- Natural-born Filipino, at least 35 years old, good moral character, distinguished in Philippine history.
- Published recognized academic works.
Term of Office of Regular Members
- Four-year terms with first appointees having staggered terms (2 for 4 years, 2 for 3 years, 1 for 2 years).
- Maximum of two consecutive terms.
- No temporary or acting appointments.
Election and Term of Chairman
- Chairman elected from regular members by all Board members.
- Chairman serves 3-year term, maximum two consecutive terms.
Functions of the Chairman
- Head of NHCP; represents and acts for the Board.
- Provides leadership and advises President and Congress on Philippine history.
- Presides over Board meetings and proposes agenda.
- Oversees Executive Director and Deputies.
- Represents NHCP in various official capacities.
Executive Director
- Appointed by the President, rank equivalent to bureau director.
Functions of the Executive Director
- Implements Board-approved policies and programs.
- Manages day-to-day NHCP operations.
- Represents NHCP in authorized meetings.
- Performs other assigned functions.
Deputy Executive Directors
- Two deputies: one for Administration, one for Programs and Projects.
- Appointed by the Board.
Qualifications for Executive and Deputy Executive Directors
- Natural-born Filipino, good moral character, college degree.
- At least 5 years government management experience for Executive Director, 3 years for Deputies.
- Deputies must have Career Executive Service Officer eligibility.
Delegation of Authority
- Executive Director may delegate authorities to Deputies in writing with specified responsibilities and duration.
Reorganization of NHCP
- Board may reorganize NHCP staff and structure within 120 days.
- NHI employees subsumed into NHCP with possible position upgrades.
- Early retirement options per government guidelines.
Historic Sites and Structures Documentation Center
- Established within NHCP, replacing the Survey and Documentation Section.
- Tasks: survey, documentation, and recommendations for historic declarations.
- Maintains the National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures.
Local Historical Committees Network (LHCN)
- Network of local historical bodies for monitoring, coordination, and support.
- Collects, documents, popularizes, conserves, restores historical materials.
- Records oral histories of localities.
Materials Research Conservation Division
- Former Materials Research Conservation Center renamed.
- Provides consultancy on preservation/restoration to collectors.
- Conducts scientific research to update preservation techniques.
- Establishes international linkages for scientific preservation.
Tax Exemptions
- NHCP income exempt from all taxes.
- Donations to NHCP exempt from donor's tax and deductible.
- Importation of conservation-related materials exempt from customs duties.
Revolving Fund
- NHCP income (up to P1 million) from fees, services, donations used to support projects.
- Excess funds remitted to National Treasury.
Funding
- Implementation funded through the annual General Appropriations Act.
Transitory Provisions
- Incumbent NHI officials serve for one year or until new appointments.
- All NHI assets, contracts, and employees transferred to NHCP.
- Existing contracts remain effective unless modified.
- Employees absorbed based on merit; separation benefits for affected personnel.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- To be promulgated within 90 days in consultation with relevant agencies.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Contradictory provisions in prior laws, decrees, and rules repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- Law takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.