PRESEN
— LN
(> receveD

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representative:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3641

Introduced by HON. SITTI DJALIA A. TURABIN-HATAMAN of Anak Mindanao
(AMIN) Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Muslim Filipinos comprise 10% of the Philippine Population. Consequently,
several non-Muslims do not exactly know their history, culture and Islam as a religion
and this lack of understanding gave rise to misconceptions that most often lead to
various acts of discrimination.

To bridge this gap, Anak Mindanao (AMIN Party-list) authored and filed a bill in
the 14% Congress entitling “Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies Act.” A bill
which mandates the inclusion in the curricula of all levels of education and training in
all schools in the country, of the study and understanding of Moro history, culture and
identity which recall and highlight the positive relations among the tri-peoples,
especially between Muslims and Christians, as well as their common origins and other
points of commonality.

More often, relations between people of varied faith and culture are strained due
to biases based on ignorance or misinformation. It is our aim to educate our people
especially the young ones, and we believe this must start in the very forefront of
education - our Schools.

This law becomes even more significant as we continue to search for Peace.
Studies revealed that it is the minds and hearts of Muslims and Christians that provide
the basic challenge in this search. An effort of Christians, Muslims and the Indigenous
People alike to improve their understanding and appreciation of each other's historical,
social and cultural values is the cornerstone of the edifice of peace that each individual,
Christian or Muslim, must build.


We firmly believe in the importance of institutional mechanisms like the peace
processes and peace agreements. ‘These however must be truly embedded in the hearts
and minds of people, through deeper understanding, acceptance and respect of our
history and culture, so that the gains of peace can be sustained.

It is therefore our great desire to have this bill passed into law. As such, we
earnestly seek support for the approval of this bill.

Rev find fie IA A, TURABIN-HATAMAN

‘Anak-Mindanao (AMIN) Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3641

Introduced by HON. SITTI DJALIA A. TURABIN-HATAMAN

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY STUDY OF MORO AND.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HISTORY, CULTURE AND IDENTITY IN THE
CURRICULA OF ALL LEVELS OF SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Moro and Indigenous Peoples
History, Culture and Identity Studies Act.”

SECTION 2. Inclusion in Curricula. - The Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Commission on Higher Education shall include the study and understanding of Moro
and Indigenous Peoples (IP) history, culture and identity in the curricula of all levels of
education and training in all schools in the country, starting in Mindanao, adopting the
scope and treatment of the subjects or courses to the respective educational levels. The
DepEd and CHED shall likewise initiate and maintain regular programs and special
projects to provide venues for information and discussion of Moro history, culture and
identity, including the utilization of informal education and other means to stress the
importance of respect therefor. The Moro and IP mandatory studies shall be under two
different curriculums which shall be taught independently of each other.

SECTION 3. Key Content. ~ In the formulation and creation of courses or subjects on
Moro and Indigenous Peoples history, culture and identity to be included in the school
curricula or other educational or training programs to implement and carry out the
directives herein, including the writing, printing and publication of textbooks and other
reading materials relative thereto, the agencies concerned shall consult recognized


experts on Moro and Indigenous Peoples history, culture and identity as well as
recognized resource persons on the Mindanao peace process and Muslim-Christian
dialogue, and shall at all times emphasize the following key points and areas:

a.) An understanding of the “Mindanao issues” and the “Moro issues” as well as the
roots of the conflict there and its impact on the rest of the country, with
appropriate attention to the history of the Muslims in the Philippines.

b.) The specific character of Mindanao as an island shared by these tri-peoples and
thus the ideal of their equality, co-existence and unity, including the peculiarities
of the different Moro and Lumad ethno-linguistic groups.

c) The positive relations and remembrances in history among the tri-peoples of
Mindanao: the Christian settlers and their descendants, the Moros or Muslims,
and the Lumad or indigenous highlander tribes.

d.) The identification of the common origins of the peoples of Mindanao and of the
Philippines as well as other points of commonalities, including the positive
presentation of these peoples before the arrival of Islam and Christianity.

e.) The appreciation of the various cultures and ethnic identities.

f.) Support for the broader Mindanao peace process which address both the
structural roots of the Mindanao conflict and the deep social, cultural and
religious cleavages there, and which consists not only of peace negotiations with
rebel groups but also people-to-people peace processes such as promotion of
Muslim-Christian dialogue and a culture of peace.

g,) Fostering of the attitudes and values of peace and dialogue such as esteem,
respect, honesty, sincerity, patience, generosity, graciousness, sensitivity, trust,
prudence, and love.

SECTION 4. Funds and Appropriations. - The amount as may be necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be taken from funds of the DepEd and the CHED
and/or from the latter two agencies’ appropriations for policy formulation, program
planning, standards development and instructional materials development. Thereafter,
such amounts such as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.


SECTION 5, Repealing Clause, ~ Any provision of law or regulation inconsistent
herewith is hereby repealed, revoked or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions shall remain in force and in effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Approved

Ref eh AJALIA TURABIN-HATAMAN

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List