c 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
f 
S.B. NO. 
Introduced by Senator LUI$A “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution has very wisely given the highest priority to 
the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural 
communities to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being. 
Thus, in its declaration of principle and state policies, the 
Constitution in Article 2, Section 22, provides that “the State recognizes 
and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the 
framework of national unity and development.” In its article on the 
national economy and patrimony, the Constitution in Article 12, Section 
5 provides that “the State x x x shall protect the rights of indigenous 
cultural communities to their ancestral lands” and expressly authorizes 
Congress to provide “for the applicability of the customary laws governing 
property rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of 
ancestral domain.” 
In its provisions on education, science and 
technology ? arts, culture, and sports, the Article 14, Section 17 of  the^ 
Constitution provides that “the State shall recognize, respect and protect 
the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop 
their cultures, traditions and institutions” and “shall consider their 
rights in the formulation of national plans and policie 
In light of the above provisions, it is imperative that the 
government should adopt policies and programs for indigenous cultural 
communities. But to ensure that these policies and programs are based 
on facts and an enlightened judgement, it is necessary to have a 
continuing in-depth study of the indigenous cultural communities, who 
should also participate in such study. This is the reason for the proposed 
creation of a center for studies on indigenous cultural communities. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, the approval of this bill is 
earnestly requested. 
BA 
Senator 


c 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
. .  
.
-
 
: . .  
.’ : 
b .  I,*, 
p.;, 
: 
. .  
S.B. NO. 
. ... 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LQI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE CENTER F 
STUDIES ON 
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES, APPRO 
ING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND QR OTHER PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. There is hereby established a Philippine Center for 
Studies on Indigenous Cultural Communities in the University of the 
Philippines. 
Section 2. The center shall conduct research and policy studies 
for the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural 
communities to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being and, 
provide an opportunity to both Muslims and non-Muslims to participate 
in national life and development. 
Section 3. The center shall be composed of the existing Institute 
of Islamic Studies in the University of the Philippines and an Institute of 
Studies on Non-Islamic Cultural Communities in the Cordilleras and 
other regions. 


Section4. The center shall be headed by an executive director 
who shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years by the President, with 
the consent of the Commission on Appointments, from among the. 
members of the faculty of the University of the Philippines and other 
state colleges and universities. 
The faculty member appointed as 
executive director shall, during his service as such, be deemed as on 
leave from his position as faculty member. 
Section 5. The center shall organize annually a national 
conference on indigenous cultural communities and of officers, 
organizations and 
academic institutions with functions, activities 
and/or programs related to these communities. 
The agenda of the conference shall be the studies of these 
communities. In addition to recommendations on further studies, the 
conference shall also make recommendations for policies and programs 
for indigenous cultural communities. 
Section 6. To carry out the purpose of this Act, the sum of Ten 
Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated 
out of the funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated for 
the fiscal year two thousand four (2004). 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included. in. 
the Annual General Appropriations Act as approved by Congress. 
Section 7. Should any part, section or provision of this Act be 
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the 
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 


Section 8. All laws, presidential decrees or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby 
repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
Section 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after' its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approued, 
GVL/trnd/SB 971 FEBl bills/