Bislig does not have a public museum. But it does have a growing collection of historical objects, and the city council wants to make sure they don't get damaged or lost while they wait for one.

At its 54th regular session on July 27, 2026, the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted Resolution No. 2026-615, authored by Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Florio S. Josafat Jr. It asks Mayor Florencio C. Garay to allow an inspection team from the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) "to validate and evaluate available space at the City Convention Center and to grant the utilization of said space as a temporary storage facility to safekeep the collected artifacts in the City of Bislig."

Who has the artifacts

According to the resolution, NEMSU, "through its cultural and historical preservation initiatives, has collected valuable local artifacts requiring proper protection, maintenance, and secure storage."

The resolution does not list what the artifacts are, how many there are, or where they were found. It also does not say which NEMSU campus or unit gathered them. Bislig Today has not found a public inventory of the collection.

Why the Convention Center

The council's reasoning is straightforward. The resolution says the objects need protection "from environmental damage, degradation, or loss while awaiting permanent exhibition or museum facilities," and that there is "an urgent need for a secure and suitable temporary storage space."

It describes the Bislig City Convention Center as having "sufficient, secure, and accessible facilities" that could hold the collection "without disrupting regular city functions."

Before anything is moved, the resolution calls for an "initial ocular inspection, validation, and evaluation" by NEMSU's technical team to check whether the space is suitable, structurally safe and large enough.

Old objects, especially those made of wood, textile, paper or fired clay, can deteriorate quickly in heat and humidity. Bislig's climate is classed as tropical rainforest, with heavy rain all year, so where and how a collection is kept matters.

Part of a bigger heritage push

The request fits into other heritage work the city has started in 2026. Earlier this year, Bislig passed an ordinance setting aside P5 million for cultural mapping, a citywide effort to document landmarks, traditions, local dishes and languages. A cultural map tells a city what it has; a safe storage space and, eventually, a museum are where the physical pieces can be kept and shown.

The resolution's own wording makes the end goal clear. It refers to the artifacts "awaiting permanent exhibition or museum facilities," which implies that a permanent home is the plan, even though no museum project, budget or site has been announced.

What's next

The resolution is a request. It is up to the mayor to approve the inspection and the use of the space. As of this writing, Bislig Today has not seen a public announcement that the artifacts have been moved to the Convention Center.

Residents who have old family objects, documents or photographs related to Bislig's history may also be interested in the city's cultural mapping work. Questions about the artifact collection can be directed to the NEMSU-Bislig Campus or the Office of the City Mayor.

Source: Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bislig Resolution No. 2026-615, adopted July 27, 2026, posted on the City Government of Bislig website.