Plan to build Rizal Exhibition Hall at National Museum proposed to Marcos
Proposed Rizal Exhibition Hall (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
A plan to build a Rizal Exhibition Hall within the National Museum was proposed to President Marcos, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos met with National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Chairperson Andoni Aboitiz in Malacañang on Monday, Feb. 2, to discuss NMP’s proposal for the new Rizal Exhibition Hall.
According to Castro, the launch of the new Rizal Exhibition Hall aims to show the public of Rizal’s interest in fine arts, anthropology, and natural sciences through exhibitions, educational activities and public programs.
Based on the proposal, the Rizal Exhibition Hall will be constructed at the center of the NMP Complex to serve as a focal building for the three existing national museums, which will be combined to form the largest integrated museum complex in Southeast Asia.
There will be an estimated 6,500 square meters minimum exhibition area with at least 2,000-square meter tall space, which will increase the exhibition space by at least 33 percent.
The completion of the three-phased project within three years will entail a total project cost of P2.7 billion or P900 million each year, from 2027 to 2029.
The proposed first purpose-built exhibition museum building will be designed in accordance with prevailing international museum standards.
The NMP also aims to increase the museum complex’s visitor capacity by launching a new exhibition hall.
In commemoration of the 129th anniversary of Dr. Rizal’s martyrdom, the NMP launched last month a digital exhibition featuring Rizal’s ethnographic collection, his role as a scholar and mentor, and his life in Germany.