Marcos creates body to oversee Malacañang Heritage Mansions

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has set up a system of managing heritage houses within Malacañang – including renting them out to the public as events venues – to raise funds for their upkeep and preservation.

Through Executive Order No.26 issued on May 12, Marcos authorized the establishment of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center and an advisory board to ensure effective supervision of the structures, citing their “rich and invaluable” history.

Malacañang heritage mansions, according to EO No. 26, shall include the Kalayaan Museum and other structures in the vicinity as may be identified by the advisory board.

Under the order, the public may rent them as venues for special events, programs and temporary exhibitions. Proceeds shall go to a revolving fund to be set up by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, in coordination with the budget department and the treasury bureau.

The revolving fund shall be used to maintain, operate, preserve, restore and beautify the properties covered by the order.

Marcos noted that the Kalayaan Museum and other government assets under the management and maintenance of the Office of the President have rich history and should be preserved.

“There is a need to maintain, preserve and utilize the aforementioned properties in recognition of its potential to promote the country’s history and culture,” the President said in the order.

He also cited Republic Act No. 10086, which declares it a policy of the state to strengthen people’s nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes and pride for the people’s accomplishments by reinforcing the importance of Philippine national and local history.

The advisory board shall be led by a social secretary and shall 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 to be appointed by the Chief Executive.

It shall be tasked to formulate policies, projects and programs for the efficient management of Malacañang heritage mansions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

The EO also transferred the supervision of the Kalayaan Museum from the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration to the Social Secretary’s Office.

The Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center, meanwhile, will provide technical and administrative support to the advisory board.

It will be led by an executive director, who will ensure that day-to-day operations and maintenance of the properties are managed effectively, efficiently and economically.

The executive director will also oversee the center’s operational activities, including the performance of all its personnel.

The Social Secretary’s Office will exercise administrative supervision over the center.

The Social Secretary’s Office, in coordination with the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, shall determine the appropriate staffing pattern and qualification standards for all posts necessary for the administration and operations of the heritage mansions and submit to the budget department the proposed organizational structure and staffing pattern of the center.