Senate
of tljp &rrrr{.nj>
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
23 J^N 12 P3 34
SENATE
S.B. No. 1 RR?l_
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
DECLARING THE 9th OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS 
PEOPLES DAY", A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, AND THE MONTH OF 
AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MONTH"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated around 
the world every 9th of August, which is the anniversary of the inaugural session of the 
Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.
On October 5, 2009, Proclamation No. 1906, Series of 2009, was issued by then 
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declaring the month of October of every year as 
National Indigenous Peoples Month.
Thereafter, on October 23, 2015, then President Benigno S. Aquino III signed 
into law Republic Act No. 10689, declaring the 9th of August as a special working 
holiday to commemorate the National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Philippines.
With the National Indigenous Peoples Day not falling within the National 
Indigenous Peoples Month, there is a need to harmonize Proclamation No. 1906, Series 
of 2009, and R.A. No. 10689.
Moreover, our Indigenous Peoples (IPs) communities have been campaigning 
and promoting their "One Day: IP Day" for more than six (6) years for the declaration 
of the 9th of August as a non-working holiday just like all other sacred and significant 
days for our Christian and Muslim brethren.


The Philippines is home to at least 17 million IPs belonging to 110 ethnolinguistic 
groups. Of the 187 languages of the Philippines, 175 are indigenous. Our IPs have 
resisted political, social, and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions 
and cultures since time immemorial. Theirs is the blood of our first ancestors. They 
deserve to be honored and celebrated.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
'\crsy'BfUtt of tlic j&t’fi
23 JAN 12 P3 34
received BV;
S B. No. 1 R65
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
DECLARING THE 9th OF AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS 
PEOPLES DAY", A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, AND THE MONTH OF 
AUGUST AS "NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MONTH"
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State 
to advance the rights and collective well-being of indigenous peoples through the 
annual observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous 
Peoples Month.
SEC. 2. National Indigenous Peoples Day. - The National Indigenous Peoples 
Day in the Philippines shall be observed on the 9th of August of each year and is hereby 
declared a special non-working holiday to recognize and promote the rights of 
Indigenous Peoples as members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities of the 
Philippines.
SEC. 3. National Indigenous Peoples Month. - The month of August is declared 
as National Indigenous Peoples Month for the people's participation in the celebration 
and preservation of Indigenous Cultural Communities as part of the Life of the Nation.
SEC. 4. In accordance with its mandate in Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7356, 
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), shall act as the lead agency 
in the planning, coordination, and implementation of the program of activities and 
events for the National Indigenous Peoples Month, and in liaising with appropriate 
international organizations linked with the United National Educational, Scientific and


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Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the promotion of cultural diversity, in cooperation 
with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission on 
Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA).
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the promulgation of this Act, the NCIP, 
together with the NCCA, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this
Act.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or part hereof be 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall 
remain valid and effective.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 10689, Proclamation No. 1906, 
Series of 2009, and all laws, decrees, orders, and Issuances, or portions thereof, which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,