Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6982

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE JOSEPH STO. NINO B. BERNOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State recognizes and
promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) within the framework of
national unity and development.” Overall, our Constitution protects the rights and welfare
of our indigenous cultural communities and of the indigenous peoples (IPs). However, basic
services provided by the government are inaccessible because of the geographical locations
of communities make it difficult for ICCs/IPs to reach government offices and for
government agencies to deliver the needs of the sector.

Furthermore, there is a need to preserve the culture and traditions of the ICCs/IPs,
not for the sake of documentation and appreciation, but for the actual use of not only of the
indigenous peoples themselves, but also of the youth from these indigenous cultural
communities, of scholars and of the general public.

Resource Centers for ICCs/IPs are symbolically essential to commit the government
in the protection of the indigenous cultural communities and of the indigenous peoples. As
such, it will shelter offices are directly linked to the welfare of the ICCs/IPs in the
Philippines.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

(0 B. BERNOS
Represerttative
Lone District, Abra



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

982
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE JOSEPH STO. NINO B. BERNOS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INDIGENOUS CULTURAL
CCOMMUNITIES/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 "Resource Centers for Indigenous

Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples Act of 2018".

Sec.2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to provide
indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/indigenous peoples (IPs) equal access to basic
services and ensure protection of their rights, taking into consideration their customs,
traditions, values, and beliefs. Towards this end, there is a need to set up Resource Centers
in all ethnographic regions to enhance the delivery of government's basic services and

enable them to engage in participatory development programs, projects, and activities.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Resource Centers for ICCs/IPs. There shall be established

ICCs/IPs Resource Centers, hereinafter referred to as the “Center,” in strategic places as

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determined by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), hereinafter

referred to as the “Commission”, taking into consideration their ethnological locations.

Sec. 4. Organizational Composition of the Center. The Commission shall designate
a Director in every Center. Concerned government departments and agencies and local

government units shall assign staff members to the Centers.

Sec. 5. Sections and Functions of the Center. The Center shall be composed of the

following service areas and their respective functions:

a. Statistical Service Area — documentation and recognition of ICCs/IPs, their
indigenous knowledge, systems and practices, political structures and customary
laws through census, appraisal and baseline reports and libraries;

b. Human Development Service Area — addresses the problems of ICCs/IPs and
provide basic and necessary services through link-up with concerned government
department and agencies, such as training programs, grant of scholarships,
employment, livelihood and enterprises and health services; and,

c. Domains Management Service Area — promotion of participatory programs, projects,
and activities for ICCs/IPs to effectively deliver their responsibility of maintaining
ecological balance, restore denuded areas, observe laws, and ensure the
implementation of the Ancestral Domains Sustainable Development and Protection

Plans and such other existing programs.

Sec. 6. Monitoring Progress and Implementation and Impact of this Act. The
Commission shall submit to Congress every three (3) years an annual report of its

accomplishments.

Sec. 7. Funding. The initial funding requirements for the implementation of this Act shall

be charged against the current appropriations of the agencies concerned. Thereafter, such

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sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation, shall be included in the

agencies’ annual budgets under the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days after the
approval of this Act, the Commission shall issue the necessary implementing rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, in coordination with the following
concerned government agencies: Local Government Units, Philippine Statistics Authority,
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education,
Commission on Human Rights, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and
Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Management

Bureau, and Land Registration Authority, and such other concerned agencies.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held to be
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sect. 10. Repealing Clause. Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative circular not
consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified

accordingly.

Sec. 11, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted,