Strengthening heritage protection: Legarda moves to amend the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 by granting tax reliefs

Senator Loren Legarda has introduced a bill aimed at enhancing heritage protection by granting incentive mechanisms to privately owned heritage buildings and ancestral houses.

Senate Bill No. 1852, or the “Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage Through Heritage Incentives,” aims to amend the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 by extending tax relief and credit benefits to private owners of cultural and heritage buildings to address the high cost of conservation, restoration, and maintenance, which are key factors […]

Legarda files bill to end treasure hunting, protect national cultural heritage from commercial exploitation

Senator Loren Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 1860 to repeal Presidential Decree No. 1726-A, the Martial Law-era decree that set government guidelines for treasure hunting in the Philippines, and to delete the treasure hunting permit provision embedded in the Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

The bill aims to protect the country’s archaeological sites and cultural heritage from commercial exploitation and to align Philippine legislation with international best practices in heritage conservation.

“Our cultural heritage […]

Legarda pushes K to 3 Foundational Learning and Nurturing Care Act to confront education crisis

Four-term Senator Loren Legarda has filed the K to 3 Foundational Learning and Nurturing Care Act, a landmark measure aimed at tackling the country’s persistent crisis in early education. The bill seeks to strengthen literacy, numeracy, and socio‑emotional learning during the critical years of Kindergarten to Grade 3, bridging the gap between early childhood care and the formal K–12 system.

Legarda underscored the urgency of the measure, citing EDCOM II findings that nearly half of Filipino learners are unable to read […]

Legarda honors legacy of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at necrological services

Senator Loren Legarda joined colleagues and dignitaries at the necrological rites for former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. on February 16 at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives, remembering him as a visionary leader whose faith in people and commitment to peace left an enduring mark on the nation.

“How do we measure the life of a man who always seemed to stand at the crossroads of our nation’s story? Today, I speak not only as a Senator […]

Legarda hits ‘paulit-ulit na kapabayaan’ in MV Trisha Kirsten sinking, pushes multi‑modal victim compensation, and tougher liability for unsafe operators

Senator Loren Legarda has condemned what she described as “paulit-ulit na kapabayaan” in maritime safety enforcement following the sinking of MV Trisha Kirsten, calling for direct accountability from regulators and a permanent compensation mechanism for victims of transport disasters.

Legarda extended her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and expressed solidarity with survivors, but emphasized that sympathy alone is no longer acceptable in the face of recurring failures.

“Ito po ay bad habit, kapabayaan ng mga ahensya ng […]