Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Mandate, Duties and- Functions. -The National Museum shall be the primary institution of the State for the management and development of museums and collections of national scope or significance in the areas of arts, cultural heritage and natural history, for purposes of protecting, preserving, studying and promoting the national patrimony for the benefit of current and future generations, supporting education and social progress, and contributing to economic development through tourism and educational, scientific, cultural and leisure services and industries. It shall be a permanent institution in the service of the entire national community and its development, accessible to the public, and not intended for profit.

The National Museum shall:

(a) Function as an educational, cultural and scientific institution that, through its operations, projects and programs, documents, acquires, preserves, exhibits, and fosters scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of or unique to the artistic and cultural heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of the Philippines^ as well as their significance to the nation: Provided, That such mandate shall be carried out in coordination with that of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Library of the Philippines, and the National Archives of the Philippines relative to important historical documents, collections, memorabilia and other objects that have significant historical value;

(b) Establish, manage and develop the National Museum Complex at the Rizal Park, Manila, as well as central museums, regional museums and other facilities, and promote the principles of universal access: Provided, That such mandate shall be carried out in coordination with that of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to operate historical museums and shrines in various parts of the country;

(c) Manage and develop the national collections of the Republic of the Philippines in the areas of arts, cultural heritage, and natural history;

(d) Carry out permanent research programs combining integrated laboratory and field work in biodiversity, geological history, human origins, pre-historical and historical archaeology, maritime and underwater cultural heritage, ethnology, art history, immovable, movable and intangible cultural properties, and similar or associated fields;

(e) Disseminate technical and museological skills and support museum development in the country;

(f) Extend technical assistance in the preservation and restoration of cultural properties of national significance; and

(g) Carry out any and all other functions characteristic of public collecting and research museum institutions of similar mandate and national scope, in line with prevailing international principles and best practices.