National Indigenous Peoples Day

fir of ind AUG -7 P4:20 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) RECEIVLO 5, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session S.B. No. _ SE AT 30 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS DECLARING THE 9TH OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY", A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, AND THE MONTH OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MONTH" EXPLANATORY NOTE The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated around the world every gth of August, which is the anniversary of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982. Around the world, states are increasingly recognizing forms of traditional or indigenous governance alongside the laws and political institutions of the "modern" state. On 05 October 2009, Proclamation No. 1906, Series of 2009, was issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declaring the month of October of every year as National Indigenous Peoples Month. Thereafter, on 23 October 2015, then President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act No. 10689, declaring the 9th of August as a special working holiday to commemorate the National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Philippines. With the National Indigenous Peoples Day not falling within the National Indigenous Peoples Month, there is a need to harmonize Proclamation No. 1906, Series of 2009, and R.A. No. 10689. Moreover, our Indigenous Peoples (IPs) communities have been campaigning and promoting their "One Day: IP Day" for more than six (6) years for the declaration of the 9th of August as a non-working holiday just like all other sacred and significant days for our Christian and Muslim brethren. The Philippines is home to at least 17 million IPs belonging to 110 ethnolinguistic groups. Of the 187 languages of the Philippines, 175 are indigenous.

Our IPs have resisted political, social, and cultural inroads of colonization, non- indigenous religions and cultures since time immemorial. Theirs is the blood of our first ancestors. They deserve to be honored and celebrated. In view of the forgoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Imee h. Mara IMEE R. MARCOST

Dite oftee 25 AUG -7 P 4:20 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES RECENCO ЗY First Regular Session S.B. No. . SENAf 30 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS DECLARING THE 9TH OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY", A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, AND THE MONTH OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MONTH" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State

to advance the rights and collective well-being of indigenous peoples through the annual observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous Peoples Month.

SEC. 2. National Indigenous Peoples Day. - The National Indigenous Peoples

Day in the Philippines shall be observed on the 9th of August of each year and is hereby declared a special non-working holiday to recognize and promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples as members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities of the Philippines.

SEC. 3. National Indigenous Peoples Month. - The month of August is

declared as National Indigenous Peoples Month for the people's participation in the celebration and preservation of Indigenous Cultural Communities as part of the Life of the Nation.

SEC. 4. In accordance with its mandate in Section 12 of Republic Act No.

7356, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), shall act as the lead agency in the planning, coordination, and implementation of the program of activities and events for the National Indigenous Peoples Month, and in liaising with appropriate international organizations linked with the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the promotion of cultural diversity, in cooperation with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Education (DepEd),

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the promulgation of this Act, the NCIP,

together with the NCCA, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or part hereof

be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 10689, Proclamation No. 1906,

Series of 2009, and all laws, decrees, orders, and Issuances, or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,