Bongbong Marcos creates panel to oversee ‘Malacañang Heritage Mansions’

The facade of the side entrance to Malacañan Palace. FILE PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VAL HANDUMON

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has formed an advisory board and a center for the management of “Malacañang Heritage Mansions” as part of efforts to conserve and promote the country’s history and culture.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Saturday that Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) No. 26 on May 12, 2023, for the creation of the advisory board to oversee the properties and the Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center to provide technical and administrative support to the panel.

Based on EO No. 26, the advisory board will be chaired by the Social Secretary and will be composed of three representatives from the Office of the President who shall serve in ex officio capacity and three representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the President. The private sector representatives are yet to be named.

The advisory board “shall have the general function and responsibility of formulating policies, projects, and programs for the efficient management of Malacañang Heritage Mansions subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations,” according to the directive.

The Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center, meanwhile, is tasked to oversee the maintenance and daily operations of the properties.

EO No. 26 said the advisory board shall identify the government properties and assets – currently under the management and maintenance of the OP – to be included in the Malacañang Heritage Mansions. It, however, specifically mentioned that the Kalayaan Museum must be included in the list.

It also noted that the supervision of the Kalayaan Museum will be transferred from the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration to the Social Secretary’s Office.

EO No. 26 further said that Malacañang Heritage Mansions “may be opened to the public as a venue for special events, programs, and temporary exhibitions, and could collect fees subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.”

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It added that “proceeds of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions operation will go to a Revolving Fund set up by ODESFA (Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration), in coordination with the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and the Bureau of Treasury, in compliance with government’s budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules.”

Citing the 1987 Constitution, the PCO said the state is mandated “to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations.”

The PCO likewise said that Republic Act 10086 makes it a national policy “to strengthen people’s nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes and pride for people’s accomplishments by highlighting Philippine national and local history through the protection, preservation, and conservation of historical relics and memorabilia, monuments, sites, and other historical resources.”

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