Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -4 P6:01 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. - Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, AND CONSERVATION EXPLANATORY NOTE In the pervading influence of Western societies and with the highly multicultural atmosphere of society it can get so easy to forget our heritage and our culture. But to forget our past, our heritage and our culture is to limit or corrupt our development. Former National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairperson Felipe M. de Leon, Jr. once said, "Ignorance of our cultural strengths and positive qualities as a people results in lack of pride in being Filipino. Lack of pride in being Filipino causes lack of commitment to the nation, a low level of achievement or even mediocrity." In Relacion de las islas Filipinas, Pedro Chirino, S.J., a Spanish priest who served in the Philippines for 12 years during the early years of the Spanish conquest, wrote of the pre-Spanish writing: "So accustomed are all these islanders to writing and reading that there is scarcely a man, and much less a woman, who cannot read and write in letter proper to the island of Manila, very different from those of China, Japan, or India".

Chirino was referring to Baybayin, just one of at least 16 writing systems present in the Philippines prior to Spanish colonization. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the appreciation and use of the Baybayin. But fervor to promote, protect, and conserve must be extended to other indigenous writing systems as well such as the Hanunó'o and Buhid of the Mangyans, the Tagbanua of the lagbanuas, the Kulitan the Kapampangan, the Basahan of the Bicolanos, Badlit of the Visayans, and the Jawi of the Tausugs. The many indigenous writing systems in the country is a reflection of our participatory and highly warm society. This step to protect and preserve a part of our culture to pass on to younger generations will help instill a sense of pride in being Filipino, cognizant of their cultural development. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Đ01" TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) P6:01 25 AUG -4 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 875 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 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. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Indigenous

2 and Traditional Writing Systems Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to

4 foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national 5 culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and 6 intellectual expression. Towards this end, the State shall promote, protect, preserve, 7 and conserve the Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems to inculcate 8 patriotism and social consciousness among its citizens.

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

10 To generate greater awareness of indigenous and traditional scripts of the 11 Philippines and engender wider appreciation of their significance and beauty, the 12 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 15 country's indigenous writing systems shall be promoted through the following:

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 Philippine

Traditional Scripts. - The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall 17 be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines on the promotion of the writing 18 systems. Accordingly, the NCCA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and conserve 20 the writing systems as national cultural treasures in accordance with Republic Act 21 No. 10066, otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009". The 22 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 and CHED, and other relevant government agencies for the proper 25 implementation of this provision.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

27 the effectivity of this Act, the NCCA shall, in coordination with the DepEd, CHED, and 28 KWF, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 29 implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, section, or part of this Act is

declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgement shall not affect, invalidate, or impair any other provisions, sections, or parts hereof.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, circulars,

rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,