As part of its objective to unify the public, Malacañang has officially opened a Presidential Museum in Baguio City which aims to inform Filipinos about their history and culture.

Palace Social Secretary Bianca Zobel said in an interview that the Presidential Museum at the Baguio Mansion House, a project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, will be open to the public for free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday to Sunday.

While the organizers of the museum are accepting walk-in visitors, Zobel said those interested in visiting are advised to book through their website or their Facebook and Instagram pages.

“Starting today, we are open to the public. We are opening the Presidential Museum in the Baguio Mansion House, she said on Sunday, Sept. 8.

“This is so that the people can learn about their history and about the presidents. This is also very important in unification. We need to know about our history and our culture so that we feel one,” she added.

Each tour, which runs for 30 minutes, will accommodate only 20 visitors at a time.

“It’s just because the rooms inside are small and the way it walks, the way you walk through, you might just bump into each other. So, that's the reason we're only doing 20 at once,” Zobel explained.

“We will be very strict in the 20-people capacity. One, to protect the artifacts. Two, to make sure that you enjoy and you really learn from the experience,” she added.

She, however, hoped visitors would treat the venue with respect.

“Like any presidential edifice, we treat it with respect. [We don’t] come here in tsinelas (slippers). So, there might be dos and don'ts,” Zobel said.

“We have rules that are published and we abide by them. That's why there's an appointment,” she added.

Zobel said they are hoping to open more Presidential Museum in different parts of the country. This is the first one outside the Malacañan compound.

The Presidential Museum in Baguio City features pieces “repurposed” from Malacañan, such as paintings and artifacts.

“We have no space to put it in Malacañan, so we have sent it all here for the people of the north to enjoy,” Zobel said.

Tourism, economy will benefit

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco thanked President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos for the “most significant and impactful project.”

“Nakikita natin na napakaimportante nito sa turismo ng Pilipinas dahil mabibigyan ang ating mga turista (We see that this project is vital to Philippine tourism because it gives our tourists), both international and local, an insight into the histories and legacies of our presidents and the building of our nation,” she said.

“Most importantly it will instill a sense of national pride especially among our youth since they will have that opportunity to learn about the work of our previous presidents and their contribution to our country,” she added.

In addition, Frasco said the Presidential Museum at the Mansion House would help Baguio’s economy with the tourists that will be coming in and the suppliers that will benefit from added tourism activities in the area.

“With this added dimension to the beautiful city of Baguio, mas dadagsa pa yung ating mga turista (more tourists will visit) especially when this opens to the public,” she said.