The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the request of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) for organizational and staffing changes, including the creation of 89 additional permanent positions.

In a news release Tuesday, the DBM said the approval is in recognition of the significant role of cultural heritage and history in the country’s economic development and to help augment the operations of the National Museum.

“We believe that these organizational and staffing changes will significantly enhance the National Museum’s operations, allowing the agency to better serve the public and fulfill its mission to preserve and promote our cultural heritage,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

“Nais po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na kasama sa ating national agenda ang pagpapalakas sa turismo at pangangalaga sa ating pagkakakilanlan. Kaya naman po patuloy pong bibigyang suporta ng DBM ang NMP at mga programa nito (President Bongbong Marcos wants to include tourism and cultural heritage in our national agenda. That’s why the DBM is in full spport of the NMP and its programs),” she added.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11333 or the National Museum of the Philippines Act, the NMP is regarded as the primary institution for the management and development of museums and collections of national scope or significance in the areas of arts, cultural heritage, and natural history, to protect, preserve, study, and promote national patrimony.

The creation of 89 plantilla positions in various units of the NMP across the country will support the existing staff of the agency, as well as further enhance its operations, the budget department said.

Other organizational modifications approved by the DBM include the changes in the nomenclature of a certain unit to clearly indicate its specific roles, functions, and activities, as well as the reclassification and conversion of certain positions to support the NMP in performing essential functions, such as providing lectures/gallery talks, preparation of reports and other documents, and undertaking of other technical and general support-related tasks.

Meanwhile, the transfer of several positions from one unit to another was also approved.

The museum’s approved organizational and staffing modifications are contained in the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action the DBM issued on May 21, 2024. (PNA)