NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998

Case Overview and Summary

This law establishes the National Museum of the Philippines as an independent trust of the government, with the following key provisions:

Objectives and Functions
- Acquire, preserve, exhibit cultural materials, art objects, archaeological artifacts, and natural heritage specimens (Section 7.1)
- Conduct research on Philippine flora, fauna, rocks, minerals, fossils, and prepare publications (Sections 7.2, 7.4)
- Document and manage the museum's collections (Section 7.3)
- Regulate registration, excavation, preservation, and exportation of cultural properties (Sections 7.5, 7.6)
- Undertake archaeological research, excavations, and maintain a national archaeological reference collection (Sections 7.7, 7.8, 7.9)
- Collect, preserve, restore, and exhibit art objects (Sections 7.10, 7.11)
- Conduct research on Philippine ethnography, cultures, and artistic forms (Sections 7.12, 7.13)
- Maintain laboratories for scientific analysis and preservation (Section 7.14)
- Plan and organize exhibitions, library services, tours, lectures, and workshops (Sections 7.15, 7.16)
- Supervise restoration, preservation, and reconstruction of immovable properties and archaeological sites (Section 7.18)
- Disseminate astronomical knowledge through planetarium shows and exhibits (Section 7.19)
- Maintain and exhibit important archaeological sites like Tabon Caves (Section 7.20)
- Secure grants and endowments, establish linkages with other institutions (Sections 7.21, 7.23)

Governance and Administration
- Governed by a Board of Trustees with representatives from the government and private sector (Section 8)
- Private sector representatives appointed by the President for fixed terms (Section 9)
- Board has authority to adopt rules, regulations, and bylaws for administration (Section 10)
- Director and Assistant Directors appointed by the Board to manage operations (Sections 11, 12, 13)
- Personnel training and development programs, including graduate studies (Section 14)
- Establishment of exhibition and central registry units (Section 15)
- Supervision over regional museums (Section 16)
- Adequate laboratories and facilities for conservation and storage (Section 18)
- Authority to deputize law enforcement for protection of archaeological sites (Section 20)
- Incentives for reporting newly discovered archaeological sites (Section 21)
- Exemption from taxes, including import duties and tariff duties (Section 25)
- Revolving fund from sales and services, up to ₱2,000,000 (Section 26)
- Merit system and compensation scheme for personnel (Section 27)
- Hiring of officers, employees, and foreign consultants (Sections 28, 30)
- Health care services (Section 31)
- De-accessioning policy for upgrading collections (Section 32)
- Charging of admission fees, open on weekends and holidays (Section 33)
- Special budget and audit rules for fiscal autonomy (Section 34)
- Reorganization authority and automatic reappointment of personnel (Section 36)

Funding and Resources
- Annual budget from national government appropriations (Section 22)
- Establishment of a ₱500,000,000 Museum Endowment Fund from PCSO and PAGCOR earnings (Section 23)
- Tax exemptions for donations and bequests to the Endowment Fund (Section 23)
- Disposal of unappropriated money for promotion of museum purposes (Section 24)

Penalties
- Imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to ₱10,000, or both, for violations (Section 35)