Vision

“A Filipino society with citizens informed of their history, who love their country and are
proud of their cultural heritage.”

Mandate
As the primary government agency responsible for the promotion of Philippine
history, the NHCP has the following functions:

 Commemorate significant historical events and declare historically significant sites,

structures, events and personages.
 Conduct research, produce materials in various media and publish and disseminate
historical works.
 Undertake and prescribe the manner of restoration, conservation, and protection of the
country’s historical movable and immovable objects.
 Manage, maintain and administer national shrines, monuments, historical sites, edifices
and landmarks of significant historic-cultural value.
 Regulate the design and manufacture of heraldic items of government agencies,
pursuant to Republic Act 8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines).
 Resolve historical controversies or issues.

Mission
The mission of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is the promotion of
Philippine history and cultural heritage through research, dissemination, conservation,
sites management and heraldry works. It aims to inculcate awareness and appreciation
of the noble deeds and ideals of our heroes and other illustrious Filipinos, to instill pride
in the Filipino race and to rekindle the Filipino spirit through the lessons of history.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) is the authority on historic preservation
program of the NHCP. It undertakes projects and activities geared towards
collaboration, coordination and/or partnership with other government agencies and
offices and the private sector in the field of historic preservation.

Goal/Objectives

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) aims to promote Filipino heritage through the
preservation, protection and development of historic sites and structures and the
conservation of material objects. As an authority on conservation of both movable and
immovable objects, the HPD shall promote awareness and appreciation of historic sites
and structures through conservation, technical assistance and information-education-
communication (IEC) programs along guidelines set by internationally accepted
conservation standards and principles and local and international agreements. It shall
also keep itself abreast and updated with the latest on scientific and information
technologies in relation to the field of historic conservation.

Functions

1. Undertakes the conservation, preservation, restoration, and development of the

historic sites and structures declared as national shrines, monuments and
landmarks, including other historic edifices and ancestral houses registered in
the National Registry of Historic Structures in the Philippines;
2. Undertakes physical restoration and preservation treatment of historical
(material) objects using specialized skills of examination and material analyses,
and the application of scientific methods of treatment and research;
3. Surveys, inventories, identifies, classifies and registers historic sites and
structures, and maintains the National Registry of Historic Structures pursuant to
P.D. No. 260, S. 1973. (See Annex B1)
4. Implements the Philippines’ National Historic Act (P.D. No. 1505 S. 1978), for the
protection of historic sites and structures nationwide; (see Annex B2)
5. Provides technical assistance to/collaborates with Government Organizations
involved in the study and preservation of historic sites and structures; and,
6. Recommends policies on the development, preservation and restoration of
historic places and edifices;
7. Performs such other functions consistent with NHCP’s institutional mandate and
existing laws.

Organizational Structure The head of the HPD is the Architect V with specialized
training in the field of historic conservation. It is divided into three sections, each headed
by a Senior History Researcher, namely:

Architectural and Survey Section The Architectural and Survey Section is the HPD
component that specifically undertakes the planning, design, implementation,
supervision and monitoring of the restoration/preservation of historic sites and
structures. This section includes architects, engineers, and draftsmen.
Engineering Section The Engineering Section undertakes survey, documentation and
identification of historic sites and structures, architectural/historical research, and
management of the HPD database on historic sites and structures.

Materials Research and Conservation Section The Materials Conservation Section

undertakes the conservation of objects and NHCP collection of historical relics and
memorabilia, including materials testing and analyses.

HISTORIC SITES AND

EDUCATION
The Historic Sites and Education Division (HSED) administers and maintains national
shrines, monuments and landmarks and operates interactive history museums. The
HSED also takes charge of the conduct of commemorative events and other
educational activities to observe birth and death centenaries/anniversaries of national
heroes and illustrious Filipinos and historic events with local and national significance.

GOAL/OBJECTIVES

The HSED promotes the ideals of our heroes and other illustrious Filipinos through the
administration and maintenance of the various monuments, landmarks and shrines,
which house their relics and memorabilia, as museums and venues for learning, and the
conduct of commemorative and other educational activities.

FUNCTIONS

1. Maintenance and administration of national shrines and landmarks, including

relics and memorabilia of national heroes and other illustrious Filipinos, and
objects of historical value in order to perpetuate the memory and emulate the
patriotic deeds of our heroes;
2. Commemoration of birth and death anniversaries of national heroes and
illustrious Filipinos and significant historical events at various shrines and
landmarks, to inculcate the positive values that the Filipino people, most
especially the youth, can emulate;
3. Commemoration of milestone historical events with national significance and
encouragement of public awareness on the importance of these events;
4. Management of shrines and landmarks as resource centers and conduits
between national government agencies and local government units, non-
government agencies, civic organizations and stakeholders;
5. Conduct of historical educational activities such as lectures, seminars, exhibits,
workshops, patriotic tours, video showing, historico-cultural contests,,,,, and
learning sessions, whether formal, non-formal or informal, in accordance with the
Philippine Cultural Education Plan;
 6. Establishment of an index of knowledge on history and culture at the various
NHCP-managed shrines and landmarks for information dissemination to the
public sector; and
7. Preparation of historical educational materials such as press releases, feature
articles and short essays on activities at NHCP shrines and landmarks, historical
events, sites and eminent personages to help popularize Philippine history in the
mass media and other venues and through information.
8. Organize and strengthen various historical committees and associations (i.e.
provincial, city, municipal, institutional, etc.), private or public, as active partners
in the dissemination of significant historical events and personalities at the grass
roots level.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Historic Sites and Education Division is headed by the Chief Historic Sites
Development Officer who is assisted by the Supervising Historic Sites Development
Officer.

The Historic Education Section is tasked to prepare, organize, plan, integrate and
implement historico-cultural and educational programs, lectures, symposia,
conferences, round-table discussions, local or national contests such as
extemporaneous speech, essay writing, poem reading, etc. all related to the observance
and commemoration of the birth and death anniversaries of national heroes and
illustrious Filipinos, including the centennial/milestone celebrations of important or major
historical events (local or national);

The Historic Sites Section is tasked with the administration and maintenance of the
various national shrines, monuments and landmarks namely:

1. Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo

2. Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo
3. Museo nina Marcela Mariño at Felipe Agoncillo
4. Museo ni Leon Apacible
5. Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio
6. Museo ni Marcelo H. Del Pilar
7. Museo ng Katipunan
8. Museo ni Juan at Antonio Luna
9. Museo ni Apolinario Mabini – PUP
10. Museo ni Apolinario Mabini Tanauan
11. Museo ni Ramon Magsaysay
12. Museo ng Republika ng 1899
13. Museo ni Miguel Malvar
14. Museo ng Kasaysayang Pampulitika ng Pilipinas
15. Museo sa Ilalim ng Lupa ng Nagcarlan
 16. Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas
17. Museo ni Manuel Quezon
18. Museo ni Jose Rizal, Calamba
19. Museo ni Jose Rizal, Dapitan
20. Museo ni Jose Rizal, Fort Santiago
21. Museo ni Jesse Robredo

MATERIALS RESEARCH
CONSERVATION
With the Congress’ approval of Republic Act 10086 otherwise known as “National
Historical Commission of the Philippines Act 2110”, the MRCS has been named as
the Materials Research Conservation Division (MRCD). With the following mandate:

Mandate

1. To undertake and prescribe the manner of restoration, conservation and

protection of the country’s historical movable and immovable objects;
2. To provide consultancy services to collectors of historical objects that are
considered valuable components of Filipino heritage to ensure that preservation,
restoration and conservation techniques and procedures are in accordance with
the accepted international standards set in protecting historical objects and
materials, and choosing the best methods and appropriate materials currently
acceptable to Philippine setting; and
3. To enrich and update knowledge on restoration and preservation techniques
through scientific research and establishing linkages between the Philippines and
various international bodies engaged in the scientific preservation of historical
and cultural objects.

Policy Statement

1. The primary function of the MRCD is the preservation of the relics and
memorabilia of national heroes and other illustrious Filipinos.
2. It also extends conservation services to government and private museums and
individuals. However, they should provide the materials needed in the
conservation treatment of their items.
3. Secondary to its function is the materials investigation of movable historical
objects and structures,
4. In performing its functions, it shall assume responsibility to the relics/items, to its
owners and custodians, to the conservation profession and to the society as a
whole.
 5. It shall strive to attain the highest possible standards in all aspects of
conservation such as document examination, scientific investigation and
conservation treatments.
6. In the Commission’s shrines and landmarks, it shall promote the importance of
preventive conservation as the most effective means of preserving the collection.
On the other hand, it shall perform remedial conservation treatment when
necessary.
7. It is responsible for choosing the best possible materials and methods
appropriate to the conservation treatments and consistent with the currently
accepted practice. Materials and methods chosen must not produce adverse
effect on the item on future examination.
8. Finally, the MRCD shall advocate/promote the respect/preservation of cultural
properties through conservation practices; through extension of technical
services and through the conduct of lectures and seminars.

Nature and Scope of Services and Functions

Laboratory Research and Analysis – functions as support to the Conservation

Section. It documents ( to record information concerning the materials, structure and
possible cause of deterioration), examines and investigates materials on historic
structures and cultural objects prior to conservation treatment. Findings and results will
be forwarded to the Conservation and Restoration Section to serve as basis for the
implementation of conservation treatment. It is responsible in the evaluation of recent
developments in the field of conservation for its feasibility and applicability under local
conditions. Relative activities will include sampling and conduct of various experiments
and tests on various materials, collaboration in the education and training of
museum/cultural personnel in conservation.

Conservation and Restoration – is responsible for the actual conservation

treatments/restoration of historical objects and other materials. Its procedures and
methodology are based on the result of the tests/analysis performed by the Laboratory
Research and Analysis section. It will not be discriminating in the use of new materials
and methods but instead will assist in evaluating possible consequences involve in their
use.

Education Center – The Division serves as repository of informational resources on

conservation. With the Division as member to international conservation organization
such as American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works ( AIC) based
in USA and Institute for Conservation (ICON) based in England, it regularly
receives/acquires scientific books, journals, and technical notes which are shelve in the
Reference Library ready to be used by conservators, researchers, students, etc. The
Division also organizes lectures and hands-on trainings/workshops in conservation.
Museo ni Mariano Ponce in
Baliuag to open on 23 May
2019
Posted on May 9, 2019

Baliuag, Bulacan – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will
open the new Museo ni Mariano Ponce with Dr. Maria Luisa Camagay, President of the
Philippine Historical Association and Professor Emeritus of the U.P. History
Department, as guest of honor on 23 May 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The Museo ni Mariano Ponce is located at the birth site of Ponce in Calle Ponce,
Baliuag. As a medical student in Spain, Ponce managed the reformist periodical La
Solidaridad. When the Philippine Revolution began in 1896, he went to Japan and
joined a committee which helped procure weapons for Filipino revolutionaries. As
ambassador of the First Philippine Republic to Japan, he tried to gain support from its
government. Upon returning home in 1907, he continued to write historical articles and
joined government as representative to the Philippine Assembly (1910-1912) and
history researcher of the Philippine Library and Museum (1916.)

The museum features rare photographs, original artifacts, and artworks. It also has a
resource center with digital files including other photographs, writings, and articles by
and about Ponce.

Aside from the museum opening ceremony, a historical marker and a full-body
monument of Mariano Ponce will be unveiled. A commemorative biographical book
entitled Mariano Ponce y Collantes, Dangal ng Lahing Pilipino will also be launched.
The book is edited by Dr. Jaime B. Veneracion, with articles written by National Artist for
Literature, Resil B. Mojares, among others.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve
Philippine history and historical heritage through its administration of national shrines
museums, research and publication, conservation, and marking of historic sites and
structures.