By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the National Museum of the Philippines Act, saying the new law would help the younger generation of Filipinos appreciate the country’s rich history and heritage.
“With the passage of this Act, we now have a stronger national policy to protect our heritage,” Cayetano said.
Senator Pia S. Cayetano (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
“This will help reinforce our sense of nationalism, especially among the youth, and boost sectors like education and tourism, which will provide more opportunities for our people," she emphasized.
Duterte recently signed Republic Act No. 11333, which designates the National Museum as the primary institution to manage and develop museums and collections of national importance across the country.
Cayetano, one of the authors of the measure in the 17th Congress, said preserving heritage “strengthens our collective sense of history as a people, which is crucial in charting our nation's future.”
The lawmaker said that under the new law, the National Museum of the Philippines is now authorized to retain the entirety of its income from all sources of its operations nationwide and overseas. It also exempts it from applicable taxes, duties, fees, and charges from donations.
She said this provision would enable the agency to better fulfill its mandate to develop the National Museum Complex in Manila, central museums, regional museums, and other facilities it manages.
It also allows the institution to make its services more accessible to the people, and not intended for profit, according to Cayetano.
"This law will allow the public free admission to public museums and national historical shrines and landmarks," the senator said.
“It is always heartening to see students, barkadas, and families coming in droves to visit our public museums as a fun, learning experience,” she said.
Read more: Duterte signs law giving more powers the National Museum of the PH