SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Of 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHJUPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 2440 
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
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OCT 28 P6:23 
DECLARING "BAYBAYIN" AS THE NATIONAL WRITING SYSTEM OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
ITS 
PROMOTION, 
PROTECTION, 
PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The "Baybayin" is an ancient Philippine system of writing composed of a set of 
17 cursive characters or letters which represents either a single consonant or vowel or a 
complete syllable. It started to spread throughout the country in the 16th century. 
However, today, there is a shortage of proof of the existence of "baybayin" scripts due 
to the fact that prior to the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines, Filipino scribers 
would engrave mainly on bamboo poles or tree barks and frail materials that decay 
qUickly. 
To recognize our traditional writing systems which are objects of national 
importance and considered as a National Cultural Treasure, the "Baybayin", an 
indigenous national writing script which will be Tagalog-based national written 
language and one of the existing native written languages, is hereby declared 
collectively as the "Baybayin" National Writing Script of the country. Hence, it should 
be promoted, protected, preserved and conserved for posterity for the next generation. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare "baybayin" as the National Writing Script of 
the Philippines. It shall mandate the NCCA to promote, protect, preserve and conserve 
the script through the following (a) by requiring food manufacturers to inscribe 
"baybayin" scripts and their translation on containers or labels; (b) by mandating the 
LGUs to use "baybayin" scripts in their signage for street names, public facilities, 
among others; (c) by requiring newspaper and magazine publishers to include 
"baybayin" translation of their official name; and (d) by directing the appropriate 
government agency to disseminate knowledge and information about "Baybayin" script 
by distributing reading materials in all levels of public and private educational 
institutions and all government and private agencies and offices to instill awareness of 
the declaration of "Baybayin" as the national writing system. 


Likewise, to ensure its preservation and conservation, the NCCA shall conduct 
trainings on their staff for the proper handling of this national treasure. 
To give us a glimpse of the legacies of the past that remain to shape the present 
and the future of our country, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
.,--c::==::::::.=:~ 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 2440 
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING "BAYBAYIN" AS THE NATIONAL WRITING SYSTEM OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
ITS 
PROMOTION, 
PROTECTION, 
PRESERV A TION AND CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Writing 
2 
System Act of 2014" . 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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inculcate, propagate and preserve the cultural heritage and treasures of the 
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Philippines for the evolution and development of patriotism among the citizenry by 
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giving utmost priority to the conservation and promotion of arts, letters and culture. 
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Towards this end, there is a need to promote, protect, preserve and conserve 
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"Baybayin" as the National Writing System of the Philippines, using it as a tool for 
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cultural and economic development to create a consciousness, respect and pride for 
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the legacies of Filipino cultural history, heritage and our authentic identity. 
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SEC. 3. Declaration of "Baybayin" as the National Writing System of the 
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Philippines. - To generate greater awareness on the plight of "Baybayin" and foster 
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wider appreciation on its importance and beauty, "Baybayin" is hereby declared the 
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National Writing System of the Philippines. As used in this Act, "Baybayin" shall refer 
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to all existing and discovered ancient and traditional scripts of the Philippine 
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indigenous peoples. 


SEC. 4. Promotion of "Baybayin" as the National Writing System of the 
2 
Philippines. - "Baybayin" as the national writing system representing Philippine 
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traditions and national identity shall be promoted through the following: 
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(a) by requiring all manufacturers of locally produced processed produced 
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food products to inscribe "Baybayin" scripts and their translation on ther 
6 
containers or labels; 
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(b) by mandating the local government units (LGUs) to include the appropriate 
g 
"Baybayin" script in their signage for street names, public facilities, public 
9 
buildings, and other necessary signage for other public service establishments 
10 
such as hospitals, fire and police stations, community centers and 
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government halls; 
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(c) by requiring newspaper and magazine publishers to include a "Baybayin" 
13 
translation of their official name; and 
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(d) by directing the appropriate government agency to disseminate knowledge 
15 
and information about "Baybayin" script by distributing reading materials in 
16 
all levels of public and private educational institutions and all government 
17 
and private agencies and offices to instill awareness of the declaration of 
18 
"Baybayin" as the national writing system and to conduct staff trainings for 
19 
the proper handling of these important documents. 
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SEC. 5. Protection, Preservation and Conservation of "Baybayin" Script. - The 
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National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is hereby mandated to protect, 
22 
preserve and conserve "baybayin" as a National Cultural Treasure. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the 
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approval of this Act, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in 
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coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTl), Department of Interior 
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and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on 
2 


Higher Education (CHED), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
2 
carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
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regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall 
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be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other part, section or provision not 
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otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. -
Effectivity. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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