THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
61 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VLLLAR JR. 
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 principles 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 shall protect the rights of the 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 policies.” 
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 be based on facts and an enlightened judgment, 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. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT 
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE CENTER FOR STUDIES ON 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. There is herby 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. 
SECTION 4. 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 recognize 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 nineteen ninety eight. 
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary shall be included in the Annual General 
Appropriations Act as approved by Congress. 
SECTION 7. Should any part, section or provisions of this Act be held invalid or 
unconstitutional, no other part, section or provisions hereof shall be affected thereby. 
SECTION 8. All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with 
or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in Filipino and 
English in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,