Community participation in the formation and sustainability of museums are substantial matters of discussion today. This covers the involvement of the local community in research and data gathering for museum exhibitions and public programs, and in developing policies for holistic museum management. Since local communities hold crucial roles in preserving their heritage, many institutions have utilized a grassroots consultative approach, engaging them in creating heritage programs. This way, museums can instill a deep sense of ownership, pride, and common identity in the community, thus fostering constant community engagement and participation. This paper presents the case of the newly-opened National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) in Cebu, Philippines, which opened in August 2023. 

   In summary, the study explores the relationship of the NMP with the local community, rightsholders, and stakeholders in the consultation, overall planning, and conceptualization of museum exhibitions, collections management, public programs, security, and visitor management. The study will assess community engagement as a vehicle for research and documentation opportunities. Furthermore, the impact of programs with partner communities shall be reviewed in the context of relevant UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

   Ma. Cecilia B. Cabañes, Information Officer III, Audrey Dawn M. Tomada, Supervising Administrative Officer, and Mary Mae Edgilez D. Yburan, Museum Researcher II, are integral members of the museum team at the National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu. As dedicated museum workers, they engage with the general public and the local community, managing museum operations and implementing educational public programs. They are active members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in the Philippines and the Central Visayas Association of Museums (CVAM), where they lead capability training and workshops in the region.