Senator Mark Villar pushes incentives for Philippine heritage conservation

Senator Mark Villar has filed a bill to strengthen the conservation and protection of our country’s cultural and historical heritage. 

This proposal seeks to introduce key amendments to Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

The proposed measure aims to address longstanding issues affecting heritage preservation, including inadequate funding, limited institutional support, disaster vulnerability, and low public awareness.

While existing laws acknowledge the importance of protecting cultural assets, Villar emphasized the need for more practical and responsive incentives. 

The goal is to ensure the continued preservation and proper use of these assets through enhanced support mechanisms.

“Our identity is deeply rooted in our culture and history—reflected in our landmarks, historical sites, and heritage structures. Hindi sapat ang pagkilala lamang sa kanilang kahalagahan; dapat din nating tiyakin na may sapat na suporta at insentibo para sa maayos na pag-gamit, pananatili at nangangalaga nito,” Villar said.

One of the bill’s key provisions is the classification of cultural properties based on their historical and cultural value.

Under the current proposal, Grade I properties would include world heritage sites, national cultural treasures, historical landmarks, shrines, and monuments officially recognized by the government.

Grade II properties include other important cultural assets such as works by National Artists and Manlilikha ng Bayan awardees, archaeological and ethnographic materials, structures at least 50 years old, and historically significant documents.

The measure also introduces fiscal incentives aimed at encouraging heritage conservation. 

These include exemptions from estate, capital gains, and documentary stamp taxes related to the transfer of ownership of qualified cultural properties, as well as relief from real property taxes for heritage structures.

-Paraluman News