The National Historical Commission of the Philippines

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 23, 1933

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) celebrates every October 23 its founding anniversary. On October 23, 2023, NHCP is 90 years old! 

It was on October 23, 1933, when Governor General Frank Murphy signed Executive Order No. 451 that established the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee (PHRMC). Its task was to identify and mark the historic sites in Manila for the purpose of preservation. 

In 1935, PHRMC became the Philippine Historical Committee (PHC) and it expanded its mandate to include the conservation of antiquities. 

It later subsumed the operation of various shrines to national heroes such as Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini among others. 

In 1965, Republic Act No. 4368 was signed that combined the PHC and the National Heroes Commission into the National Historical Commission (NHC) with the added functions of conducting and publishing research work on national heroes and historic events, the construction and maintenance of historic sites, and taking charge of all history related activities of the government. 

When Martial Law was declared by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 21, 1972, he issued Presidential Decree No. 1 (s. 1972) which reorganized the executive branch of the government with all state functions related to history directed to the National Historical Institute (NHI). 

Decades of growth in its mandate and functions prompted the expansion of the NHI into the NHCP by virtue of Republic Act No. 10086 in 2010. 

The NHCP remains steadfast in the accomplishment of its mandate and role as the principal government agency tasked with the promotion of Philippine history and heritage through research, conservation, management of historic sites, and public history engagement. 

At present, the NHCP is composed of five (5) component divisions and twenty-seven (27) shrines and museums located across the Pholippines. 

In 2033, it will celebrate its 100th anniversary while continuing to innovate and adapt to be of excellent service to the country.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org