Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 433 1

Introduced by Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create a Mangyan Culture and Arts Board,
defining its powers and functions and appropriating funds therefor.

Section 22, Article IL (Declaration of Principles and State
Policies) of the 1987 Constitution provides:

SEC. 22. The State recognizes and promotes the
rights of indigenous cultural communities within the
framework of national unity and development.

The Mangyan are indigenous peoples living in Mindoro Isiand.
Numbering about 100,000.00 they constitute ten percent of the total
population of the island. The main Mangyan tribes are Alangan,
Bangon, Tau-Buid, Buhid, Hanunoo, Tadyawan, Iraya, and Ratagnon.
Their rich and ancient culture is a significant part of our national
heritage. However, these indigenous groups are in danger of losing
their cultural practices due to their integration into the mainstream of
the modem society and the commercialization of tourism which
undermines their cultural identity.

This dill seeks to create a Mangyan Culture and Arts Board to
develop programs for the revitalization, promotion and preservation of
the unique culture and arts of Mangyan. his will also help uplift the
socio-economic condition of the Mangyan groups.

Hence, the approval of this bill is


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bit wo. 43 31

Introduced by Honorable REYNALDO V. UMALI

AN ACT CREATING A MANGYAN CULTURE AND ARTS BOARD,
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Mangyan Culture and Arts Board — The Mangyan
Culture and Arts Board, hereinafter referred to as the “Board,” is
hereby created to develop programs for the preservation, revitalization
and promotion of Mangyan culture and arts, uplift the economic
conditions of the Mangyan and further enhance their cultural identity.
The Board shall be under the supervision of the National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP}

SECTION 2. Composition - The Board shall be composed of a
chairperson and eight (8) members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines from a list of recommendees submitted by
the NCIP. Eight (8) members shall be appointed from the different
Mangyan tribes of Alangan, Bangon, Tau-Buid, Buhid, Hanunoo,
Tadyawan, Iraya, and Ratagnon. One (1) member shall be appointed.
from a niof-governmental organization supporting the Mangyan tribal
groups.

SECTION 3. Term of Office — The chairperson and the eight (8)
members of the Board shall serve for a term of four (4) years. In case
a vacancy occurs before the expiration of the term of office, the new
appointee shall serve the unexpired term only.

SECTION 4. Qualifications, - The chairperson and the
members must be natural born Filipino citizens, experienced in ethnic
affairs, at least (30) years of age at the time of appointment and must
be of proven honesty and integrity.


SECTION 5. Duties and Functions. The Board shall exercise
the following duties and functions:

al Promotes, the .exqnomic, welfare.
owned and operated by members of the tribes for their
mutual benefit;

b) Support and promote the preservation of the cultural and
historical values of the Mangyan culture and arts through
the integration of Mangyan products into the domestic and
international markets;

c) Encourage and support research by providing technical
advice and assistance;

@) Coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry on
the recognition of quality Mangyan products, seek
trademarks for such products and establish the standards
and regulations for the use of such trademarks, and seck
exemption from the payment of corresponding patent fees;

¢} Promote the public information, education and cultural-
education exchange, in coordination with other relevant
government agencies and non-governmental organizations,
on the promotion and enhancement of the distinctive
heritage and values of the Mangyan;

f) Ensure the participation of Mangyan leaders in schools,
communities and international undertakings like festivals,
conferences, seminars and workshops; and

@) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in
furtherance of the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 6, Meetings. — Regular meetings of the Board shall be
held at the Provincial Office of the NCIP in Oriental Mindoro at least
once a month. Special meetings may be held as often as may be
necessary. In the absence or incapacity of a member to attend any
regular of special meeting of the Board, the duly designated
representative of the member shall attend and be vested with the
same power and authority as a regular member.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of five (5) members holding
office at the time of the meeting: Provided, however, That the
chairperson of the Board is among those present in the meeting.

‘The chairperson and members shall be entitled to per diems and
honoraria to be fixed by the chairman of the NCIP for actual
attendance in their meetings. They shal! be reimbursed their travel
expenses for meetings attended.


SECTION 7. Secretariat. - The Provincial Office of the NCIP in
Oriental Mindoro shall provide technical, management and staff
services to the Board in the performance of its duties.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NCIP shall formulate
the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act.

SECTION 9. Appropriations - The amount as may be
necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be taken from
the current appropriations of the NCIP. Thereafter, such amount as
may be necessary for its continued operation shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effeetivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.