REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10573, May 24, 2013

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10573, May 24, 2013 ]

AN ACT DECLARING THE SHEIKH KARIMUL MAKHDUM MOSQUE, CONSIDERED AS THE SITE OF ONE OF THE OLDEST EXISTING MUSLIM HOUSES OF PRAYER OR MOSQUES IN THE PHILIPPINES, AT TUBIG INDANGAN, SIMUNUL, PROVINCE OF TAWI-TAWI, AS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL LANDMARK AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to preserve historical sites, monuments and other relics that represent the Filipino heritage and culture and should therefore be under the protection of the State.

SEC. 2. Declaration as National Historical Landmark. – Consistent with the constitutional mandate to conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage, the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque located at Tubig Indangam Simunul, Province of Tawi-Tawi, which was constructed in 1380 A.D. and considered as one of the oldest Muslim Houses of Prayer or Mosques in the Philippines is hereby declared a national historical landmark to underscore the immense contribution of the Islamic faith to the enrichment, vibrance and diversity of our culture and civilization.

SEC. 3. Power of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. – For this purpose, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) shall exercise supervision over the preservation of the aforesaid site and shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this Act.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. – The Chairman of the NHCP shall immediately include in the Commission’s program the operationalization of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as a national historical landmark, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Fund-raising Program. – In order to afford the people an opportunity to participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of the shrine, the NHCP is hereby authorized to organize and undertake a national fund campaign for the purpose of raising funds from private sources.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE President of the Senate

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on March 23, 2011 and February 4, 2013, respectively.

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: MAY 24 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III President of the Philippines