Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
INAUL exemplifies the rich cultural heritage of Maguindanao.  Woven by a 
great race, it is a symbol of royalty of the race that once ruled Mindanao.  
Inaul, literally meaning "woven", is a handmade fabric with designs handed 
down from generation to generation.  Its luxurious texture is a blend of silk and gold 
threads infused into the pure cotton threads and woven in intricate patterns and 
technique. 
Traditionally, there are twenty identified Inaul designs ranging from the rare 
heirloom Riyal to the rainbow-hued binaludto.  Each color knitted into the Inaul has a 
significance - white is associated with purity, but also signifies mourning or sadness; 
black symbolizes dignity; the green of nature symbolizes peace, while red is the 
symbol for bravery.  For the Maguindanao royalty, it is the colors of yellow and 
orange.  
Inaul fabrics can be worn as a malong, a tubular skirt, as a sarong  or wrap-
around,  or as a sablay, a loose garment. Today, inaul fabrics are also made into 
cradles, mats, blankets, and curtain, to name a few of its modern uses. 
To keep the inaul legacy alive, fashion designers such as Renee Salud made 
gowns and dresses using inaul fabric for models to parade in fashion shows.  In 
2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray also wore an inaul outfit during her homecoming.  
Most recently, Senator Robin Padilla proudly wore an inaul created by Francis 
Libiran for the 2022 State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 
November 7, 2022
8:00 am
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With Inaul, the Maguindanaoans do not only provide us with a colorful and 
intricately designed cloth, but a piece of their culture, tradition and contemporary art, 
showcasing Filipino’s unique creativity, elegance and simplicity. 
 
However, we need to promote and empower the inaul industry if we are to 
save it from extinction, and give inaul weavers an improved life. 
 
Thus, this bill seeking to protect and preserve the Inaul industry,threby 
keeping the Maguindanao cultural legacy alive. 
 
In view of its transcendental importance, the approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” 
I. MASTURA 
Representative 
First District of Maguindanao  
with Cotabato City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE 
INAUL WEAVING INDUSTRY 
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 “Inaul Industry 
Development Act.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism 
and nationalism, promote the preferential use of locally manufactured goods that utilize 
local resources and technologies, celebrate Filipino culture and heritage through the 
adoption of measures to elevate its value and prestige, thereby generating employment 
and inclusive growth for our people; 
 Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
hereby defined as follows:  
a. Inaul – refers to a handmade fabric with designs handed down from generation
to generation; its luxurious texture a blend of silk and gold threads infused into pure 
cotton threads and woven in complicated techniques by the people of Maguindanao; 
b. Inaul weaving industry - composed of the interrelated and interconnected
component supply chain centered in the production of the Inaul textile; 
c. Neo-ethnic Philippines textiles – refers to textiles made of or containing natural
or indigenous materials, sourced and/or produced in the Philippines using updated, 
relevant, and green scientific and technological approaches and innovations; while 
integrating and/or retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons, motifs and/or 
approaches;  
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Sec. 4. Establishment of the Inaul Weaving Development Council. – The 
Inaul Weaving Development Council shall be composed of the following:  
 
a. 
Head of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of 
Science and Technology as Chair of the Council;  
 
b. 
Head of the Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the 
Department of Trade and Industry as Co-Chair;  
 
c. 
Head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as Member;  
 
d. 
Head of the National Commission on Indigenous People as Member;  
 
e. 
Head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Office 
of the President as Member;  
 
f. 
Head of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the 
Department of Agriculture as Member;  
 
g. 
Head of the Philippine Creative Industry Development Council;  
 
h. 
The Representative of the Traditional and Cultural Expressions Domain of 
the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council as Member; 
 
i. 
Head of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines as Member; and  
 
j. 
 A representative of the Inaul weaving industry as Member.  
 
 
Sec. 5. The Inaul Weaving Industry Development Policy. – The Council shall 
formulate one (1) year after it is created, the National Inaul Weaving Industry 
Development Policy. This shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:  
 
a. Formulation of the Inaul Weaving Industry Roadmap;  
b. Innovations in inaul design and engineering;  
c. Technical support mechanism for sustainable inaul weaving activities;  
d. Development and promotion of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles;  
e. Development of Philippine Standards for Inaul Woven Textiles;  
f. Intellectual property protection framework for inaul textiles; 
g. Development of a database of Philippine textiles;  
h. Development of Inaul Textile-related Technical and Skills and Vocational 
Programs; and  
i. Education and Training.  
 
The Council shall implement and monitor the measures to enable the Policy.  
 


Sec. 6. Appropriations. – The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php 10,000,000.00) is 
hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial 
implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
implementation of this Act shall be appropriated as a distinct and separate item.  
 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the 
Department of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Garment and Textile 
Industry Development Office of the Department of Trade and Industry, the National 
Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of 
Agriculture, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, and the Philippine 
Creative Industries Development Council shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act.  
 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.  
 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree 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.  
 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,