Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act

: Splate sa Offer of ta commerc 25 AUG 14 P2:43 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEVED SY SENATE S. No. 1185 Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, AND CONSERVATION EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is well-known for its rich and unique culture. There are about sixteen (16) different types of writing systems in the country, which all existed even prior to our colonization. Some of the popular Philippine writing systems are Baybayin, Buhid, Kulitan, Tagbanwa, and Jawi. However, the introduction of the Roman alphabet, coupled with the technological advancements and dominance of other major languages, unfortunately resulted for these writing systems to be pushed aside, forgotten, and die out. With this, the present and future generations will not be given an opportunity to know and appreciate the same. As such, and pursuant to the Constitutional mandate to promote, protect, preserve, and conserve the Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems as a means to inculcate patriotism and social consciousness among the citizenry, this bill seeks to do so by the inclusion of the traditional writing systems in relevant subjects of basic and higher education, by the conduct of relevant activities that will promote awareness of the same, by the proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral evidence on the writing systems, among others.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID Senator

Scinti fire of the see are 25 AUG 14 P2:43 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session REFUEL OF THE PRETE S RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1185 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, AND CONSERVATION Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Indigenous and

6 Traditional Writing Systems Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to foster

the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression. To this end, the State shall promote, protect, preserve, and conserve the Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems as a means to inculcate 12 patriotism and social consciousness among the citizenry.

Section 3. Promotion of Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems.

- To generate greater awareness of indigenous and traditional scripts of the Philippines and engender wider appreciation of their significance and beauty, the promotion of the writing systems is hereby recognized as part of our cultural treasures. As expressions of Philippine tradition and symbols of the national identity, the country's indigenous writing systems shall be promoted through the following measures and activities:

(a) Inclusion of these writing systems in relevant subjects of basic and higher education such as elective or specialized courses in higher education on the study of the same; (b) Conduct of activities to be spearheaded by the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and local governments that promote awareness of the writing systems, particularly during Buwan ng Wika and similar occasions and events; (c) Conduct of seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other relevant activities on Philippine writing systems, taking into consideration the writing system that is indigenous to a particular region; (d) Establishment of free on-demand lessons and exercises to be made available online; (e) Entering into agreements with educational materials and games developers to create fun learning games involving indigenous languages; (f) Proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral evidence on the writing systems; and (g) Other applicable measures, as may be adopted by the concerned government agencies.

Section 4. Protection, Preservation and Conversation of Indigenous or Philippine

Traditional Scripts. - The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines on the promotion of the writing systems. Accordingly, the NCCA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and conserve the writing systems as national cultural treasures in accordance with Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009". The NCCA shall coordinate with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) for technical assistance on the development of the Philippine languages and writing, and with the DepEd,

CHED, and other relevant government agencies for the proper implementation of this provision.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after

the approval of this Act, the NCCA shall, in coordination with the DepEd, CHED, and KWF, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall

be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts, sections and provisions not • otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

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

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