National Museum got 178 million pesos from PAGCOR

SENATE OFFICE, MANILA, March 30, 2011-A historical agreement between the National Museum of the Philippines and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)  was executed last March 25, 2011 to provide endowment by PGCOR of 178 million pesos for the Museum which was scheduled to be paid between April and December of 2011, saying that this finally implements the provisions of the National Museum Act of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8492) which appropriated 250 million pesos from the earnings of PAGCOR for the Museum's Endowment Fund this year.

Partial remittances had been made in the past, payment of the balance of 178 million pesos had not been made for many years until it was brought to the attention of the present management of PAGCOR.

At the signing ceremony were PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cristino L. Naguiat Jr., National Museum Director and Assistant Director Jeremy Barns, Cecilio Salcedo, and Senator Edgardo J. Angara, representing the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, of which he is an ex-officio member as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.

PAGCOR Chairman Naguiat said that there is a need to help preserve the Philippines' greatest collection of important treasures where PAGCOR is continually raising funds for the governments' socio-civic and national developmental efforts, including boosting the country's tourism industry.

Senator Angara said that the occasion was a huge milestone for the country where it will foster cultural and artistic literacy.

“The National Museum has not acquired any large collection in the last few years, and now it finally can where this is the largest amount that any government agency has given so far, and the National Museum can use every penny of it,” Angara said.

National Museum Director Barns said that in its charter, the National Museum may use interest generated from its Endowment Fund for special projects, of which the most important currently is the restoration and refurbishment of its main building, the Old Legislative Building, and the improvement of public galleries and facilities.

“This boost to the endowment fund could not have come at a better time,” Barns said, stressing that they are in the process of creating a new and improved National Museum that every Filipino can be proud of.

He furthered that they have been working hard to modernize, expand and upgrade their facilities for the general public as well as enhance the general appeal of the Museum.

Through this landmark agreement, Barns furthered that they have not had the resources that they need to make any big moves, but that has changed significantly now and expressed that they are happy to forge a strong relationship with PAGCOR. (Jason de Asis)