£01'17 fine cloc TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 A11:48 SENATE RECEIVI S. No. - Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AKLAN PIÑA MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, AKLAN, ITS SATELLITE CENTERS, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE In the Philippines, the tradition of weaving is one of the most distinctive expressions of our arts, culture, and community identity. For many cultural communities, textiles hold deep cultural meaning - serving as symbols of social status and playing vital roles in rituals such as offerings to spirits for rain, healing, or good harvests. Among these treasured traditions, Piña weaving is hailed today as the "Mother of all Philippine Textiles" and the "Queen of Philippine Handwoven Textiles." Its uniqueness lies in its fineness and natural creamy luster, made possible by the skillful extraction and handweaving of fibers from the inner leaves of the Red Spanish pineapple, known locally as Pinya Bisaya. While the pineapple plant was introduced to the Philippines via the Spanish galleon trade in the 16th century, Aklanon communities in the province of Aklan, Western Visayas, became pioneers in cultivating this variety specifically for textile fiber production - a tradition that began in the 1570s and continues to this day. On 6 December 2023, the craft and tradition of Aklan Piña handloom weaving were inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
of Humanity, recognizing its outstanding demonstration of cultural diversity and creative expression. Beyond its cultural value, Piña weaving remains vital to the local economy. The Philippine textile and garments sector continues to contribute significantly to exports and livelihoods. According to the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST- PTRI) and government trade data, Philippine textile and garments exports were valued at approximately USD 186.9 million in 2021, with forecasts exceeding USD 1 billion in the coming years, including niche high-value products like Piña. 1 By institutionalizing the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan, we ensure the safeguarding of this centuries- old weaving tradition. The Center will not only preserve the craft's historical and cultural value but also serve as a hub for public education, research and development, training of the next generation, and product innovation. It will strengthen both cultural appreciation and the economic contributions of textile weaving in the country. In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. LOREN LEGARDA 1 https://tesda.gov.ph/Uploads/File/SkillInsights/2025/TSIR%20on%20Master%20Embroiders.pdf
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JUL 14 Al:48 SENATE RECEIVEO BY S. No. - Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AKLAN PIÑA MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, AKLAN, ITS SATELLITE CENTERS, DEFINING ITS PURPOSES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Aklan Piña Museum
2 and Cultural Center Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. Towards this end, measures that ensure the 6 achievement of this stated policy shall be pursued.
Sec. 3. Establishment of the Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center (the
8 "Center"). - There is hereby established a museum and cultural center for Aklan Piña in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan to safeguard and promote the Akian Piña handloom weaving and its value as a cultural expression of the Aklanon culture, ensure continued research and development of the Aklan Piña textile and other related products for sustainable livelihood, ensure a sustainable source of raw material, provide a venue to train and enhance knowledge and skills of the younger generation on Aklan Piña, and undertake other activities to broaden appreciation on Aklan Piña handloom weaving and increase market access of its products. Satellite centers may 16 also be established to encourage the development of the Piña weaving and textile 17 beyond the Province of Aklan.
Sec. 4. Coordination and Supervision. - In coordination with the Provincial
2 Government of Aklan and the Municipal Government of Kalibo, the Association of Aklan 3 Piña Weavers, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), the 4 National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Museum of the 5 Philippines (NMP) shall: shall spearhead the establishment of the Center and supervise 6 the same; take charge of the safeguarding, development, and promotion of the Aklan 7 Piña handloom weaving; and develop the creative industry on the Aklan Piña textile 8 and other products, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 9 and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The Department of 10 Agriculture (DA) shall take charge of the propagation of Red Spanish pineapple or Pinya Bisaya, 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 Center to carry out and discharge its duties and functions.
Sec. 5. Functions. - The center shall perform the following functions:
a. Maintain a site in the Municipality of Kalibo which will 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 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; 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
2 Municipal Government of Kalibo shall provide the land necessary for the establishment of the Center and its ancillary offices and facilities.
Sec. 7. Staffing. - The Office of Aklan Piña Museum and Cultural Center
5 (OAPMCC) is hereby created to oversee the Center and ensure the implementation of 6 this Act. The OAPMCC shall be lodged in the NCCA which shall be headed by a Director 7 who will be appointed by the Commission.
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the preparatory phase of
the establishment of the Center shall be charged against the current year's budget of 10 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. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,