JAN.

12, 2012 DATE

NR # 2646
REF. NO.

Bill allowing National Museum to use its fund for operational expenses approved on second reading
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill authorizing the National Museum to use its income for their operational requirements. House Bill 5594, authored by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City), seeks to amend Section 26 of Republic Act 8492 known as the National Museum Act. Biazon said the bill allows the National Museum to use its income not exceeding P5 million annually, derived from the proceeds of the sales, reproductions, cultural items, publications, creation, restoration, conservation, identification, earnings from planetarium programs, entrance fees, and other auxiliary services. The present law only allows the Museum to spend up to Two Million Pesos yearly, limiting the Museum in its requirement for maintenance and other auxiliary expenses, Biazon said. To give the museum a reprieve from being constantly inundated by mundane problems, this measure seeks to amend the charter of the National Museum by increasing the amount it is supposed to be able to use as a revolving fund, from two to five million pesos, Biazon said. The measure shall also authorize the National Museum the use of revolving fund in the upgrading and modernization of communication and transportation facilities; repair and rehabilitation of structures and facilities that house its offices, collections and acquisitions; updating of its insurance payments; increasing the level of security it currently employs; and funding of expenses incurred in the reproduction/acquisition of cultural items, publications, creations, restoration and construction programs, planetarium programs and other auxiliary activities. The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Mariano Piamonte, Jr. (Party-list, A TEACHER), Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Romero Federico Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Sigrido Tinga (2nd District, Taguig City), Pryde Henry Teves (3rd District, Negros Oriental), Raymond Palatino (Party List, Kabataan), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City) and Thelma Almario (2nd District, Davao Oriental) have co-authored the measure. (30) jsc