Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL STUDIES CENTERS IN STATE 
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Local history plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the nation’s past. It 
offers a more comprehensive view of Philippine history by recognizing the contributions 
of influential figures from the provinces and various cultural communities. By delving 
into the unique histories and cultures found across the country, we can promote a more 
inclusive narrative, one that reflects the diverse experiences of all Filipinos. 
Understanding the historical and cultural wealth present in the provinces and cultural 
communities is essential for several reasons. It assists the national government in 
resolving local disputes, dismantling stereotypes, addressing unequal opportunities, 
and ensuring fair representation. Additionally, it allows us to conserve the valuable 
heritage that has often been overlooked or taken for granted. Recognizing and 
preserving local histories also contributes to a more holistic and unified Filipino 
identity, fostering a sense of pride among citizens and providing a solid foundation for 
nation-building. 
This bill proposes the establishment of Local Studies Centers in all State Colleges and 
Universities (SUCs), which will focus on the study, documentation, preservation, and 
promotion of local history, folklore, language, and other cultural heritage aspects. 
These centers will function as research institutions dedicated to grassroots-level 
studies, employing academic, scientific, and scholarly methods to capture the richness 
of local traditions and histories. 
Through the establishment of these centers, we will not only deepen our appreciation of 
the country’s diverse cultural landscape but also work towards sustainable and inclusive 
social and economic development. By ensuring that all regions and communities are 
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represented in our national history, we empower localities and contribute to the 
creation of a more equitable and prosperous nation. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 REP. MARLYN B. ALONTE 
 Lone District of Biñan, Laguna 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL STUDIES CENTERS IN STATE 
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES 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. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Local Studies Center Act”. 
    Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the long-standing efforts of 
various private universities, colleges, and state universities and colleges (SUCs) in 
spearheading the idea of establishing a local studies center. It is hereby declared the 
policy of the State to recognize the wealth of Philippine culture and history in the 
provinces and cultural communities, which is beneficial in strengthening government 
programs and policies in dispute settlement; addressing stereotypes, unequal 
opportunities, and representations; conserving what has been studied and recovered, 
and appraising Filipino identity and pride.  
    Sec. 3. Establishment of Local Studies Centers. - There shall be established local 
studies centers, hereinafter referred to as the "Center," in each province, or if necessary, 
dedicated to the cultural community at large, in state universities and colleges (SUCs).  
    Sec. 4. Province and Cultural Community-wide cooperation. - Given that there 
are provinces and cultural communities with multiple SUCs, inter-institutional 
cooperation is encouraged to prevent redundancy in establishing a Center. 
    Sec. 5. Existing Local Studies Centers. - It is hereby encouraged that the existing 
local studies centers shall be automatically designated as the Center of a particular 
province and/or cultural community, enjoying the support of other SUCs located within 
the immediate locality, cultural community, and the concerned government agencies. 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall maintain a directory of existing and 
future Centers and ensure that no duplication and redundancy shall take place.  
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          Sec. 6. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The administration of each individual 
SUC-based Center shall have plantilla positions for a Director, a librarian or archivist, 
history researchers, and if necessary, a museum curator, museum researchers, and 
conservators. It shall have the liberty to determine its organizational structure and 
create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary and appoint officers and 
employees.  
          Sec. 7. Composition and Functions of the Center. - The Center shall be composed 
of but not limited to the four (4) major service areas with their respective functions 
namely:  
           a) Research Service Area - conducts research and studies in their locality and 
cultural community; documents local history, culture, and society; and contributes to 
the local policymaking;  
          b) Publication Service Area - acts as the lead publisher, in print and online, of 
local history, culture and society, knowledge in the locality and cultural community. It 
shall support the production of educational materials on local history, culture and 
society, the promotion of vernacular literature and language, and other studies 
concerning the locality and cultural community.  
          c) Awareness Campaign Service Area - creates and promotes participatory 
programs, projects, and activities to continue and encourage discourse on local history, 
culture, and society; as well as champions or cultivates the laws and policies on cultural 
heritage to guide the local government units;  
          d) Collection Service Area - tasked with the collection building of local historical 
and cultural resources and the conservation thereof, through:  
          i. Collecting printed materials focusing on publications from their locality and 
cultural community;  
          ii. Gathering available microfilm/microfiche publications;  
          iii. Photo duplicating documents found in various government institutions, 
especially in national cultural agencies and other local and international institutions 
where data relevant to local studies are available;  
          iv. Obtaining memoirs and other writings about significant personages and 
institutions in the locality and cultural community;  
 
          v. Acquiring materials significant to the enrichment of local history, culture, and 
society scholarship; and 
 
          vi. Procuring through donations, exchanges, or purchases of important  
historical documents, manuscripts, journals, books, etc. 


 
 
 
          Sec. 8. SUC Support to the Center. - The host SUC of a Center shall: 
    
          a. Designate premises conducive and equipped to store the collection of the  
Center; conduct public programs such as lectures, seminars, and exhibits;  
and entertain researchers and visitors; 
 
          b. Build the collection of the Center by acquiring and purchasing seminal  
Filipiniana core collection;  
 
          c. Harmonize the university research program with the goals and objectives of 
the Center;  
 
           d. Encourage localized studies among the faculty and the students to benefit the 
immediate community where the school is located;  
 
          e. Involve academics, experts, and scholars outside the SUC to contribute to the 
research and publication activities of tire Center; and  
 
          f. Develop policies and programs appraising the quality and scholarship of 
historical and cultural research and publication for the Center.  
 
          Sec. 9. Patronage of Publications Produced by the Center. - The dire need for a 
body of knowledge about the towns, cities, provinces, regions, and cultural 
communities shall be augmented by encouraging the Center to produce regular 
publications by its resident or non-resident scholars. It shall provide at least two copies 
of each publication produced for deposit at the Historical Data Bank of the National 
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Library of the Philippines 
(NLP), and the University of the Philippines Diliman Filipiniana Library. The Department 
of Foreign Affairs shall purchase copies of the publications for dissemination to all 
Sentro Rizal cultural centers in foreign service posts. The Local School Board and the 
Department of Education shall do the same for all public and private schools of the 
concerned immediate schools division, and the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government and NLP for the public libraries.  
 
          Sec. 10. Local Historical Committees Network (LHCN). - This existing unit within  
the NHCP shall develop a comprehensive local and international linkage program that 
will connect the Center with relevant government agencies, non-governmental 
organizations, and other local and international historical and cultural societies, 
committees, associations, and councils, whose objectives are in line with the goals and  
objectives of the Center, as well as with the national government, the provincial 
government, and already existing Centers.  
 
           
 


 
 
          Sec. 11. Representation of the Center. The Center must be represented in the 
Local School Board and the Local Culture and Arts Council of concerned local 
government units, the National Economic and Development Authority in the regions, 
and other government bodies concerning local history, culture, and heritage.  
 
          Sec. 12. Funding. - The initial funding requirements for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the SUCs. Thereafter, 
such sums as it may deem necessary for its continued implementation shall be included 
in the institutions' yearly budget under the General Appropriations Act.  
 
          Sec. 13. Repealing Clause - All laws, rules, and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
          Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be 
held invalid or unconstitutional, no other part, section or provisions thereof shall be 
affected thereby.  
 
          Sec. 15. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,