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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __313

Introduced by Representative Frederick W. Siao

EXPLANATORY NOTE

At the core of this proposed bill is the recognition of the ethnolinguistic flag
for Filipinos sharing common ethnicity, culture and language.

The proposal is based on the realization that despite the Philippines being a
multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, we use either Filipino, Tagalog or English
as a means of communication in terms of public information such as in public
signages. This is in contrast with the practice in other countries where they
recognize other local languages or use the most common language spoken within a
certain place as it is mandated by their laws and policy. To correct this anomaly,
we should adopt the multi-lingual method, and recognize the different
ethnolinguistic groups found throughout the country.

In particular, Congress should mandate the display of “ethnolinguistic
community flags” in government edifices, in addition to the national and local
government flags, and to require street and building signages to be written in the
most predominant local language, apart from Filipino and English.

An ethnolinguistic group refers to people unified by both a
common ethnicity and language. Most Filipino ethnic groups have their own
language. Despite this, the term is often used to emphasize when language is a
major basis for the ethnic group, especially with regard to its neighbours.!

" Fishman, Joshua A.; Garcia, Ofelia (2010). Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity. Oxford University Press.
p. 12. (access on 25 September 2019).
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The Philippines is a country which is inhabited by a number of ethnic
groups. In addition, these several ethnolinguistic groups whose kinds of language
are Austronesian since their discovery, have established a different kind of national
and symbolic prominence which are uniquely theirs.” At present, there are 110
ethnolinguistic groups in the country based on the National Commission on
Indigenous People’s INFOKIT.*

While the use of ethnolinguistic or regional flags may sometimes symbolize
fractious politics and regionalism, it more often represents pride in our unique
identity and culture.

Accordingly, Congress may authorize the different ethnolinguistic groups to
also bear their own flags to identify as well as differentiate their varying
ethnolinguistic groupings. It may also mandate the use of local languages in street
and building signages to promote local culture and heritage.

In light of the foregoing premises, the passagg of this bill is earnestly sought.

* Ethnic Groups in the Philippines: The Most Formidable Treasures of Philippine Culture. Retrieve from
http:/driftwoodjoumeys. com/ethnic-groups-in-the-philippines-the-most-formidable-treasures-of-philippine-culture!
* INFOKIT from the National Commission on Indigenous People.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __5313

Introduced by Representative Frederick W. Siao

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING AND PROMOTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE
OF THE FILIPINO ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS THROUGH THE
ADOPTION OF ETHNOLINGUISTIC COMMUNITY FLAGS AND
USE OF LOCAL LANGUAGES IN STREET SIGNAGES AND OTHER
INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGES IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND
FACILITIES

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
“Ethnolinguistic Community Recognition Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall recognize, respect,
and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and
develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these
rights in the formulation of national plans and policies, foster the preservation,
enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the

principle of unity in diversity.


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SEC. 3. Use of Ethnolinguistic Community Flag. ~ Provinces, cities
and municipalities are hereby allowed to adopt and use ethnolinguistic
community flags that represent the predominant ethnolinguistic group or
groups in their respective localities. The design of these flags shall be subject
to approval by the National Historical Institute (NHD, as provided in the next
succeeding section.

SEC. 4. Ethnolinguistic Flag Recognition. — The NHI is hereby
mandated to receive, record and evaluate applications for recognition of
ethnolinguistic flags, and approve applications based on precedence, design,
customs and traditions,

SEC. 5. Flown with the National Flag. — When flown with the
National flag, the ethnolinguistic flag may be flown in the same halyard as the
Philippine flag but below the latter and may not be of greater size than the
Philippine flag.

When flown with other national or local flags, the rules Provided for in
Section 12 of Republic Act No. 8491 otherwise known as the “Flag and
Heraldic Code of the Philippines” shall be strictly observed.

SEC. 6. Use of Local Language in Public Signages. — New signages
that shall be placed in public Streets, buildings and other facilities are hereby
required to be written in English, Filipino, and the most predominant local

language.


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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the National Historical Institute shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative
orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,