The Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center Act

Senate Offiee of the Bicotage TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AU5-7 P6:16 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. _ 1159 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AKLAN PIÑA MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, ITS SATELLITE CENTERS, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is a country rich in cultural heritage, with each region offering unique artistic expressions that reflect the identity and history of its people. One such remarkable tradition is the Aklan Piña handloom weaving, a centuries-old craft that has become an enduring symbol of Filipino artistry, ingenuity, and cultural pride. Rooted in the local heritage of Aklan, this weaving tradition utilizes the delicate fibers of the Red Spanish pineapple, locally known as Pinya Bisaya, to produce the iconic Piña cloth known for its elegance, durability, and historical value. In recognition of its cultural importance, the Aklan Piña handloom weaving was inscribed in 2023 in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This international recognition affirms the need for stronger national support to preserve and promote this invaluable tradition, ensuring that its knowledge, skills, and cultural significance are passed on to future generations. This proposed measure seeks to establish the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan, with the goal of preserving, promoting, and revitalizing this intangible heritage.l The Center will serve as a permanent home for education, exhibition, research, innovation, and skill development focused on Aklan Piña weaving. It will also support sustainable livelihood initiatives by partnering with agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, 1 UNESCO. Aklan Pina Handloom Weaving. Available at https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/aklan-pina-handloom- weaving-01564 (Accessed on July 8, 2025).

the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Agriculture to assist weavers, promote creative industries, and ensure the sustainable cultivation of Pinya Bisaya. To fulfill these objectives, the bill proposes a collaborative effort between national cultural institutions such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Museum of the Philippines, the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, local government units, and the Association of Aklan Pina Weavers. It also provides for the creation of the Office of the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center under the NCCA to oversee its operations and ensure the proper implementation of the Act. By establishing this cultural center, the measure aims not only to protect an irreplaceable part of Filipino heritage but also to stimulate community-based development, cultural education, and tourism in Aklan and beyond. It will help safeguard the knowledge systems and cultural identity of the Aklanon people while contributing to national efforts in preserving our shared cultural legacy. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JOEL/ VILLANUEVA

State Offier of she crcetare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 1U6 -7 P6:16 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. _ 1159 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AKLAN PIÑA MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, ITS SATELLITE CENTERS, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " The Aklan Piña

Museum and Cultural Center Act."

SEC. 2 Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

4 to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage 5 and resources, as well as artistic creations. Towards this end, measures that ensure 6 the achievement of this policy shall be pursued.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural

Center, - There is hereby established a museum and cultural center in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan, to be known as the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center, hereinafter referred to as Center, to safeguard and promote the Aklan Piña handloom weaving and its value as a cultural expression of the Aklanon culture. The Center shall ensure continued research and development of the Aklan Piña textile and other related products for sustainable livelihood, the sustainable

sourcing of raw materials, and the provision of a venue to train and enhance knowledge and skills of the younger generation on Aklan Piña. The Center shall also undertake other activities to broaden appreciation on 4 Aklan Piña handloom weaving and increase market access of its products. Satellite centers may also be established to encourage the development of the Piña weaving 6 and textile beyond the Province of Aklan.

SEC. 4. Coordination and Supervision. - The Association of Aklan Piña

8 Weavers, the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, the National 9 Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the National Museum of the 10 Philippines, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Municipal Government of Kalibo, shall supervise the cultural center and shall spearhead the establishment of the same; shall be in charge of the safeguarding, development, and promotion of the Aklan Piña handloom weaving; and shall develop the creative industry on the Aklan Piña textile and other products, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology. The Department of Agriculture shall be in charge of the propagation of the Red Spanish pineapple or "Pinya Bisaya," the raw material of Aklan Piña. Concerned public and private institutions with similar interests shall also be sought for technical assistance or donations in cash or in kind to enable the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center to carry out and discharge its duties and functions.

SEC. 5. Functions. - To implement the purposes of this Act, the Aklan Piña

24 Museum and Cultural Center it shall perform the following functions: 25 a) Maintain a site in the Municipality of Kalibo which shall host a museum, an innovation and training hall, an arts hall and theater, and other facilities as necessary for the intent of the center; b) Heighten appreciation of the Aklanon people on the value of Aklan Piña handloom weaving being inscribed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; c) Cultivate and enhance public interest in, and appreciation of the Aklan Piña handloom weaving;

1 d) Encourage organizations, associations, or societies to support weavers and aspiring weavers and/or farmers planting Pinya Bisaya; e) Support production of artistic works in visual arts, music, dance, literature design, media arts, and publication to promote appreciation of Aklan Piña handloom weaving and the Western Visayas culture; f) Conduct research on product development and marketing of Aklan Piña handloom weaving; and g) Perform such other functions necessary for the achievement of the intent and purposes of this Act.

SEC. 6. Provision of Location. - The Provincial Government of Aklan or the

Municipal Government of Kalibo shall provide the land necessary for the establishment of the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center and its ancillary offices and facilities.

SEC. 7. Staffing. - The Office of Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center

(OAPMCC) is hereby created to oversee the center and ensure the implementation of this Act. The OAPMCC shall be lodged in the NCCA which shall be headed by a Director who will be appointed by the NCCA.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - The amount necessary for the preparatory

phase of the establishment of the Center under this Act shall be charged against the current year's budget of the NCCA. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA in coordination with all the concerned agencies of the government shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the 32 provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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