TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 875
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'll;"1...
j v>- «®t7ici> of tir
25 AUG-4 P6:01
RECEiWOBV:
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 FHipinas, 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 Hanuno'o and Buhidof the Mangyans, the Tagbanua of 
the Taobanuas. the KuHtan the Kapampangan, the Basahan of the Bicolanos, BadHt 
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.
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 875
n;. ’ 
of tlir 2 v.rt.'in*
25 AUG-4 P6 -01
RliCEiVcD BV;
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 assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the '"Philippine Indigenous
2 
and Traditional Writing Systems Act.
3 
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.
9 
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
13 
treasures.
14 
As expressions of Philippine tradition and symbols of the national identity, the
15 
country's indigenous writing systems shall be promoted through the following:


1 
a) Inclusion of these writing systems in relevant subjects of basic and higher
2 
education such as elective or specialized courses in higher education on
3 
the study of the same;
4 
b) Conduct of activities to be spearheaded by the Department of Education
5 
(DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and local
6 
governments that promote awareness of the writing systems, particularly
7 
during Buwan ng Wika and similar occasions and events;
8 
c) Conduct of seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other
9 
relevant activities on Philippine writing systems, taking into consideration
10 
the writing system that is indigenous to a particular region;
11 
d) Ensure proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of
12 
oral evidence on the writing systems; and
13 
e) Other applicable measures, as may be adopted by the concerned
14 
government agencies.
15 
Sec. 4. Protection, Preservation, and Conservation of Indigenous Philippine
16 
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.
19 
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
23 
assistance on the development of the Philippine languages and writing, and with the
24 
DepEd and CHED, and other relevant government agencies for the proper
25 
implementation of this provision.
26 
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.
30 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, section, or part of this Act is
31 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgement shall not affect, invalidate, or
32 
impair any other provisions, sections, or parts hereof.


1 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, circulars,
2 
rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
3 
this Act are hereby repeaied or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
6 
circulation.
Approved,