Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act

Office of die &a» TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP -3 P2:18 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1339 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that "arts and letters

shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations." Further, Section 16 thereof provides that "all the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition." The Philippines is home to a rich and diverse intellectual heritage, as evidence by its various indigenous writing systems. Scripts like Baybayin, Hanunuo, Buhid, Tagbanwa, and Kulitan were developed by ancestors long before Spanish colonization and serve as the country's pre-colonial history and intellectual prowess. These writing systems are not mere historical relics, but are considered vital expressions of Filipino identity, creativity, and cultural continuity. Their preservation is essential for historical and linguistic research, as they provide scholars with deeper understanding of early Filipino civilization and literacy. Furthermore, they promote unity and respect among different communities by representing a shared cultural heritage. It can also help bridge generational gaps by connecting young Filipinos with the languages and cultural values of their elders. This bill seeks to protect, promote, and conserve indigenous and traditional writing system as a means to instill patriotism and social consciousness. It mandates the inclusion of these writing systems in relevant subjects within basic and higher education, including specialized elective courses. It also calls for the Department of

Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and local government units to spearhead activities that promote more awareness. More importantly, the bill requires proper record-keeping of relevant documents and the preservation of oral evidence on our indigenous and traditional writing systems. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. mee h. Marca IMEER. MARCOS*

Senate Offer of the cruelarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 SEP -3 P2:18 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1339 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

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

Traditional Writing Systems Act."

SEC. 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 5 the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression. 6 To this end, the State shall promote, protect, preserve, and conserve the Philippine 7 indigenous and traditional writing systems as a means to inculcate patriotism and social 8 consciousness among the citizenry.

SEC. 3. Promotion of Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems. -

10 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 (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 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) Ensure proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral evidence on the writing systems; and (e) Other applicable measures, as may be adopted by the concerned government agencies.

SEC. 4. Protection, Preservation and Conservation 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, or 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

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

the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,