An Act Establishing the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum in the Province of Biliran, Defining Its Purposes and Objectives, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

May 24, 2022

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11772

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BILIRAN CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM IN THE PROVINCE OF BILIRAN, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. There is hereby established a cultural center and museum in the Province of Biliran, to be known as the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum to promote culture and the arts. It shall serve as the institutional medium for the protection, preservation, presentation and promotion of the cultural, artistic, archaeological, social, historical, religious and philosophical heritage of the Biliran Island and its people in view of the richness of their legacies and of their relevance to their contemporary and future aspirations.

SECTION 2. The Biliran Cultural Center and Museum shall be a collaboration between the Provincial Government of Biliran and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with its concerned affiliated cultural agencies and pertinent academic and private sector partners, and members of the community, with its site, structures, governance, organization, operations, and development to be provided for by mutual agreement between the parties, to be executed and published within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 3. To fulfill its purposes and achieve its objectives, the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum shall:

(a) Compile the musical notes and lyrics of Biliran traditional songs, ballads, and contemporary music compositions, and collect samples of musical instruments of Biliran origin, design and creation;

(b) Acquire and display a varied range of Biliran arts and artifacts;

(c) Publish and disseminate Biliran literary works, epics, stories and historical accounts;

(d) Compile Biliran literature, film, or audio-visual recordings of cultural performances in music, dances, oral literature, and festival celebrations;

(e) Compile Biliran works, names of barangays, towns and other places of interests and their respective history;

(f) Gather and document Biliran religious practices and traditions, and the background and origin of Biliran fiestas and festivals;

(g) Compile photographs of and showcase by appropriate exhibits, Biliran landmarks, historical sites and scenic views;

(h) Gather specimens of archaeological findings, and collect major minerals present in Biliran, namely, gypsum, sulfur, and white clay and such other geological materials unique to Biliran;

(i) Preserve by appropriate methods samples of flora and fauna indigenous to the Province of Biliran;

(j) Conduct performances on local music, dances, arts, literary works, epics, stories, historical accounts and legends; and

(k) Carry out any other relevant and appropriate activities.

SECTION 4. The Provincial Government of Biliran shall provide the land necessary for the construction or establishment, or both, of the main venue and ancillary offices and facilities of the Biliran Cultural Center and Museum.

SECTION 5. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's budget of the NCCA (Proper). Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Biliran, other concerned agencies of the government, and private stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the implementing rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved: May 24, 2022.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 118, No. 22, p. 6368 on May 30, 2022.