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Republic of the Philippines RE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
Quezon City pare: 08 AUG 2016
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SEVENTEENTH (17°) CONGRE! twe__F
BY:

First Regular Session

92e:
House Bill No 2623 REG

BILLS AND INCL ¥ SERVICE

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This representation filed House Bill No. 2949 in 2013 with the objective of
helping address the continuing rift between Muslims and Christians brought about
by differences in, among other things, culture and religion. We believe that with this
bill, we will be able to generate a better awareness and appreciation of the Muslim
character, as well as to showcase the diverse Muslim culture through their
traditional songs and dances.

In February of this year, in substitution of HB 2949, the Committees on
Muslim Affairs and Appropriations approved House Bill 6472, entitled: “An Act
Establishing a Bangsamoro Trade and Cultural Center of the Philippines in the City
of Manila and Appropriating Funds Therefor”.

This is very timely as the new administration, led by President Rodrigo
Duterte, has made known its intention to sit down with the different armed groups ,
and pursue a lasting peace in Mindanao, Difference in cultural and religious beliefs
and practices should not be a hindrance in the pursuit of peace in a region that has
long been plagued by armed conflict.

We move for the urgent passage of this bill.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17%) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2623

House Bill No. ~~~

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

AN ACT
CREATING A MUSLIM TRADE AND CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES, IN
THE CITY OF MANILA, AS THE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION ONE. This Act shall be known as the “MUSLIM TRADE AND
CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT OF 2013”.

SEC. 2. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote and advance the
culture of every part of the Philippines. The State recognizes the people’s need for
cultural understanding and tolerance, and for knowledge of local customs and
products,

SEC 3. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, as well as the
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, are hereby mandated to be the lead
agencies in the implementation of this Act, to formulate a guideline of requirements
and to structure a timetable for the creating of the Muslim Trade and Cultural

Center of the Philippines.


SEC 4. In line with this, both National Commissions shall closely coordinate
with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) for the funding requirements and other pertinent
matters needed in the implementation of this Act.

SEC 5. The DPWH shall closely coordinate with the Local Government of
Manila with regards to the location of the land where the Muslim Trade and Cultural
Center of the Philippines is proposed to be established,

SEC 6. The land must be owned by the government,

SEC 7. The appropriation for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced
from the unobligated budget allocations of the two National Commissions, DPWH,
DBM, the President's Social Fund and the City of Manila under the General
Appropriations Act, Thereafter, such amount as necessary for the continued
implementation shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after completion of its
Publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.