Senate Offite of the Drectarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P1:37 SENATE RECEIVCO B S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN (INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS) TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNAL TRADITIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 OR THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is home to over 110 ethno-linguistic groups, whose diverse cultural expressions, including epic chants, weaving techniques, ritual performances, and community knowledge systems, represent the living core of the nation. 1 This wealth of intangible heritage is increasingly threatened by the accelerating forces of modernization and material development, largely influenced by highly industrialized societies. The pursuit of material goods and instant gratification often overshadows the long-standing tradition of self-realization through the cultivation of character, craft, and creativity. These traditions, transmitted through generations via music, dance, oral poetry, carving, and weaving, are rapidly being displaced by the homogenizing pull of consumerism. Among the youth, there is growing disengagement from ancestral traditions, as modern lifestyles prioritize convenience and digital immediacy over patient learning and mastery of cultural forms. This disconnect has profound consequences for the 1 United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Fast facts: Indigenous peoples in the Philippines. UNDP Philippines. https://www.undp.org/philippines/publications/fast-facts-indigenous-peoples-philippines
sustainability of our cultural heritage, particularly those practices that require years of apprenticeship and immersive community participation. In response to the growing threats to our intangible cultural heritage, this bill proposes the establishment of the Linangan ng Likhang-Bayan (Institute for Living Traditions), a dedicated institution under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), mandated to safeguard, revitalize, and promote Filipino communal traditions across generations. The Linangan shall serve as a central institution to coordinate and elevate efforts toward cultural transmission, particularly in intangible heritage domains. The Linangan will consolidate national efforts to institutionalize Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), develop specialized training programs in traditional and indigenous knowledge systems, and provide both formal and non-formal learning pathways with national recognition. It shall prioritize practices at risk of extinction and emphasize the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as rituals, craftsmanship, poetry, and oral traditions, rather than focusing solely on the collection of material objects. It shall likewise promote equal participation in the creative process, recognize the intrinsic and diverse value of human cultural expressions beyond economic measurement, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the distinct visions of life and art embodied in Filipino cultural communities. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA
DeBate Officp of the Sacetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session AUG -4 P1:37 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN (INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS) TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNAL TRADITIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 OR THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section. 1. Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the "National Cultural
2 Heritage Act of 2009' is hereby amended with the addition of a new Article after 3 Section 47 in order to read as follows: "ARTICLE XIII LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN
SEC. 48. CREATION OF LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN
(INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS). - THERE IS HEREBY CREATED AND ESTABLISHED A LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN (INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS) WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT CENTER AND LABORATORY FOR THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE COMMUNAL TRADITIONS.
SEC. 49. FUNCTION. - AS THE SOLE INSTITUTE FOR
TECHNICAL, BASIC, AND HIGHER EDUCATION, BOTH FORMAL AND NON-FORMAL, IT SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) FOR POLICY
AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WITH SOLE EMPHASIS ON THE TRADITIONAL AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS.
SEC. 50. CONVERGENCE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT
ENTITIES AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. - IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS CORE COURSES AND AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION, THE NCCA SHALL WORK IN CLOSE COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION. THE NCCA SHALL ENDEAVOR TO WORK WITH PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF ITS FUNCTION AS THE CENTER AND LABORATORY FOR PHILIPPINE COMMUNAL TRADITIONS.
SEC. 51. MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS OF LIVING
TRADITIONS. - AS AN ATTACHED OFFICE OF THE NCCA, THE INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS SHALL BE IN CHARGE OF THE CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS OF LIVING TRADITIONS.
SEC. 52. APPROPRIATIONS. - THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE APPROPRIATED IMMEDIATELY TO BE GENERATED FROM WHATEVER SOURCE THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE NATIONAL TREASURY." All succeeding sections after the insertion of the new provisions are hereby renumbered accordingly
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision
of this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations,
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,