Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session SENATE S. No. 1425 PREPARED AND SUBMITTED JOINTLY BY THE COMMITTEES ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS, AND FINANCE, WITH SENATORS LEGARDA, VILLANUEVA, GO, HONTIVEROS AND ZUBIRI AS AUTHORS THEREOF AN ACT CREATING THE AKLAN PINA CONSERVATION AND INNOVATION CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, AKLAN, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES, AND PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATION, PROGRAMS, AND FUNDING Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives o he Philippines in Congress assemblea

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as

the "Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared

the policy of the State to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage, resources, and

artistic creations, as well as to pursue measures that ensure the achievement of the stated policy.

SEC. 3. Creation of the Aklan Piña Conservation and

4 Innovation Center. - There is hereby created the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Center (the "Center"), a specialized institution for the safeguarding, promotion, research, innovation, and transmission of Aklan piña weaving. The Center shall be based in the Municipality of 9 Kalibo, Province of Aklan, and operate under the oversight of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, the including the Provincial Government of Aklan, Municipal Government of Kalibo, academic institutions, the and weaving communities. For its establishment, Center shall utilize and strengthen existing facilities, resources, and networks provided by the local governments, regional line agencies, academic institutions, or weaving communities.

SEC. 4. Staffing. - The Center shall be headed by a

chief who shall be responsible for overall management and coordination with local stakeholders and national agencies. The staffing pattern of the Center shall be prepared by the 5 NCCA, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.

SEC. 5. Functions. - The Center shall:

(a) Undertake cultural mapping, oral history collection, and digital archiving of Aklan piña weaving traditions in partnership with the NCCA and local governments; (b) Support farmers in cultivating the Red Spanish pineapple, in collaboration with the Department of the distribution 15 Agriculture, including of planting materials, tools, and training in sustainable agriculture; (c) Develop programs to ensure the transmission of weaving knowledge, including Schools of Living Traditions and mentorship initiatives, and coordinate with the

Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to integrate piña weaving and textile heritage into appropriate educational and youth programs, modules, and research initiatives; (d) Collaborate with the Department of Science and Technology, universities, and design institutions, to advance research on textile fibers, promote sustainable technologies, support product standardization, and expand piña product applications; (e) Work with the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen the market positioning, branding, and value chain integration of piña competitiveness, textiles, including support for product development and participation in local and international trade platforms; (f) Partner with the Department of Tourism and Local Government Units (LGUs) to integrate piña weaving into cultural tourism programs, festivals, and heritage routes;

(g) Coordinate with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to assist weavers and cooperatives in securing appropriate intellectual property protection, including designs, trademarks, and potential geographical indications, with due regard to the rights of communities and culture-bearers; and (h) Perform other functions necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Act.

SEC 6. Governance and Administration. - The

Center shall be governed by a Management Council (the "Council") composed of representatives from the: (a) National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as Chairperson; (b) Provincial Government of Aklan as Co-Vice Chairperson; (c) National Museum of the Philippines; (d) Municipal Government of Kalibo; (e) Department of Trade and Industry;

(f) Department of Agriculture; and (g) Department of Science Technology Philippine Textile Research Institute; (h) Department of Tourism; (i) Department of Education; (i) Commission on Higher Education; (k) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; (I) Academe and research institutions, as designated; and (m) Recognized piña weavers' associations or cooperatives, who shall constitute at least two (2) seats in the Council, one of whom shall be appointed as Co-Vice Chairperson. The Council shall formulate the policies, programs, and priorities of the Center, ensuring inter-agency coordination, community participation, and cultural sensitivity.

SEC. 7. Funding. - The initial funding necessary to

implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the NCCA. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA, in coordination with the concerned agencies of the government, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this

Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential

decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after

fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,