JAN 28, 2016

NR # 4093

Bill to create the Military History and Shrines Board

Magdalo Party-list Reps. Gary C. Alejano and Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo have
filed a bill creating the Military History and Shrines Board (MHSB) which is tasked to
fully focus on the maintenance and development of national military shrines and battle
fields.
Alejano and Acedillo said the MHSB, as proposed in House Bill 6382, replaces the
Military Shrine Services (MSS), which was created by virtue of Presidential Decree 1076.
Alejano said the MSS is placed under the supervision of the Philippine Veterans
Affairs Office (PVAO) along with the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Veterans Claims
Settlement Staff and the Philippine Veterans Administration.
The MSS is tasked to conserve and develop military shrines of national
importance. It plays an instrumental role in preserving the historical significance of our
countrys military legacies, Alejano added.
Alejano said the significance of military shrines cannot be overemphasized.
Military shrines are the countrys historical touchstones that link the past, present and
future generations.
Military shrines ensure that those who lost their lives in battles will never be
forgotten. They also serve as central symbols of our countrys architectural and artistic
heritage, Alejano said.
Acedillo said the sorry state of the countrys military shrines warrants urgent
government attention. It is only through their preservation can we immortalize the
sacrifices of our fallen heroes, he added.
Acedillo said the absence of a military historian, coupled with inadequate budget,
hinders the MSS to properly maintain and develop national military shrines. Lack of
funds also hampers the ability of the MSS to acquire military shrines that are under
management of local government units (LGUs).
Under the measure to be known as The Military History and Shrines Board of
2016, the Board shall administer, maintain and develop national shrines consisting of
military memorials, battle monuments or sites, underwater or on land.
The Board shall be tasked to regulate activities pertaining to the preservation,
restoration and conservation of military shrines, monuments and battle fields.

It shall also manage and preserve underwater military wrecks and coordinate with
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on the declaration of
markers on military shrines, monuments and battle fields.
The Board will be chaired by the Administrator of PVAO, assisted by a military
historian.
The MHSB shall be exempt from all taxes on its income. All donations in any form
to the MHSB shall be exempt from the donors tax and the same shall be considered as
allowable deduction from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of donor.
The Department of National Defense (DND) is directed to promulgate the rules and
regulations to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.
By expanding the powers and delineating the functions of the Military History and
Shrines Board, the lawmakers hoped that the public will place greater importance on the
value of patriotism. (30) lvc