About PRH

ABOUT PRH

Overview

The Philippine Registry of Heritage (PRH), also known as the Talapamana ng Pilipinas, is the central repository of all information pertaining to cultural properties in the Philippines deemed significant to our cultural heritage. It was established by virtue of Article V of Section 14 of Republic Act 10066, as amended by RA 11961 otherwise known as the National Heritage Act of 2009. The Registry operates under the Cultural Properties Regulation Division of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The Registry upholds the right to privacy as mandated by the Constitution. As such, it complies with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

See Data Privacy Statement here.

Contents

1

National Cultural Treasures

or unique cultural property found locally which has outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value. It is highly significant and important to the country and is officially declared by a cultural agency like the National Museum (NM).

2

Important Cultural Property

or cultural property having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines determined by the NM, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), and/or the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP).

3

National Historical Shrines

or cultural property which are hallowed and revered for their history or association as declared by the NHCP and/or other previous iterations of that cultural agency.

4

National Historical Landmarks

or sites or structures that are associated with events or achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the NHCP and/or other previous iterations of that cultural agency.

5

National Historical Monuments

or structures that honor illustrious persons or commemorate events of historical value as declared by the NHCP and/or other previous iterations of that cultural agency.

6

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

or places listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having outstanding universal value.

7

Presumed Important Cultural Property

or cultural property which are not declared as National Cultural Treasure, UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Historical Shrine, National Historical Landmark, National Historical Monument, or Important Cultural Property but still possesses the characteristic of an Important Cultural Property. This may be: Works of Manlilikha ng Bayan; Works of National Artists (unless declared by the Commission); Archeological and traditional ethnographic materials (unless declared by the National Museum); Works of national heroes; Marked structures (unless declared by the NHCP); Structures dating at least 50 years old; and Archival materials or old documents dating at least 50 years old (unless declared by the National Archives).

8

Local Important Cultural Properties

declared by the Sanggunian as such. These are cultural properties which are significant to local culture and history.

PROPERTIES REGISTRATION

The PRH is maintained through the combined efforts of cultural agencies, other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), instrumentalities, public and private education institutions, and owners of cultural properties.

All cultural agencies shall individually maintain an inventory, and documentation of all cultural properties declared according to their category and shall submit the same to the Commission.

Local government units, through their cultural offices, shall likewise maintain an inventory of cultural property under its jurisdiction and shall furnish the Commission a copy of the same.

All government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and/or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, including public and private educational institutions, report their ownership and/or possession of such items to the pertinent cultural agency.

Private collectors and licensed dealers shall register their cultural property to the NCCA through the PRH. Registered cultural properties shall remain in the possession of their private owners.

LOCAL CULTURAL INVENTORY

Cultural properties are registered through the combined effort of Cultural Agencies including the National Museum, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Archives, and the National Library of the Philippines as well as of Local Government Units (LGUs). LGUs are to document cultural properties significant to their locality.

Checklist in Submitting a Local Cultural Inventory (LCI)

Compliant LGUs shall with the above documentary requirements shall receive Certificates of Compliance from the PRH.

Flowchart

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PRIVATELY-OWNED MOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY

The Registration of Privately-Owned Movable Cultural Properties is currently administered by the PRH by virtue Republic Act No. 11333 as a transferred regulatory functions of the National Museum of the Philippines to the NCCA.

Flowchart

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Important Reminder:

As stipulated in Section 14(e), Article V of Republic Act 10066, private collectors and owners of cultural property shall not be divested of their possession and ownership of their property upon registration to the PRH.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Documentary Requirements

Submission Requirements

Online:

Use this for the subject format: [REGISTRATION] <Property Name>_<Private Collector or Licensed Dealer>
Send the documents to talapamana@ncca.gov.ph

Physical/Courier:

Mail or visit:

Philippine Registry of Heritage
Cultural Properties Regulation Division
West Wing, Ground Floor, The Metropolitan Theater Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita 1000 Manila, Philippines

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why establish the Registry?

It plays a crucial role in identifying and providing information on all available cultural resources in the country which can be used by the public, land use planners, property owners, developers, the tourism industry, and educators; increasing awareness and the understanding of cultural heritage especially in local communities; and facilitating the protection, preservation, and conservation of cultural property.

What is a cultural property?

What are the cultural properties to be included in the Registry?

What is a cultural inventory or Cl?

What are the basic documentary requirements for the submission of Cl?

How do we submit the Cl?

We don't have a cultural inventory yet. How do we make one?