Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

7201

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” NIETO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past
and present (Rep. Belaro's HB 6419) congress.

The Constitution provides that the State recognizes and promotes the rights of
indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.
It is also provided that the State shall recognize the right of indigenous families and
communities to retain shared responsibility for upbringing, training, education and well-
being of their children, consistent with the rights of the child.

Despite the different attempts to empower our indigenous brothers and sisters, much
more needs to be done — especially when it comes to education.

As such, it is high time that we provide a framework that will further provide our
indigenous brothers and sisters with the opportunity to engage in nation building by
establishing at least one (1) basic education school in every indigenous cultural
community. Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7201

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” NIETO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOL IN EVERY INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “School for every Indigenous Peoples
Community Act of 2018”

SECTION 2. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels of education and shall take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all

The Constitution provides that the State recognizes and promotes the rights of
indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.
The State shall recognize the right of indigenous families and communities to retain
shared responsibility for upbringing, training, education and well-being of their children,
consistent with the rights of the child.

‘SECTION 3. As used in this Act:

a) Basic Education refers to the intended basic learning needs which provides the
foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It includes kindergarten,
elementary and secondary education as well as alternative learning systems for
out-of-school leamers and those with special needs.


b) Basic Education School refers to leaming institutions accredited by the
Department of Education (DepEd) to deliver services addressing the intended
basic learning needs of the students; and

Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous Peoples Community refers to the same
definition stated in Section 3h, Ch. 2 of RA NO. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’
Rights Act of 1997 which describes it as “groups of people or homogenous
societies who have lived as organized community on communally bounded and
defined territory and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have resisted political,
social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures,
or the establishment of present state boundaries.

°)

SECTION 4. It is herein mandated that there shall be established at least
‘one Basic Education School for every Indigenous Peoples Community in the country.

SECTION 5. Indigenous Peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit
to future generations their histories, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and
literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and
persons.

SECTION 6. It shall inculcate in the curricula the effective measure to ensure that the
Indigenous Peoples can understand and be understood in political, legal and
administrative proceedings, where necessary by means of provisions of interpretation or
by other appropriate means.

‘SECTION 7. The Department of Education, in consultation with Committees on National
Cultural Communities of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and other
concerned agencies is herein tasked to formulate the Implementing Rules and
Regulation of this Act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 8. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of
the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 10. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,