THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
:c 
n 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY MOTE 
Article XIV, Sec. 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that: “The State shall 
recognize, 
respect and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to 
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions. It shall consider these 
rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.” 
It is therefor, explicit that the State is mandated to establish, maintain, and 
ensure adequate social services in the field of education, health, housing, employment, 
welfare and social security to guarantee the enjoyment by the Filipino people, 
irrespective of color or creed, of a decent standard of living. 
The national tribal communities continue to live in the same manner they used to 
be in the past. We find the various regions of the country with little visible substantial 
changes in their standards of living. The benefits of improved health care and housing 
seem to be negligible in the minority areas and no appreciable improvement can be 
seen especially with the unstable peace and order prevailing in Muslim Mindanao ad the 
Cordilleras. 
This bill seeks to establish Pilot Tribal Communities and/or Housing Projects in 
each and every region in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, which shall serve as 
model human settlements that will adhere or conform to their cultures and traditions. At 
the same time, it shall provide the basic convenience of modern living such as health, 
education, livelihood and recreational facilities . 
Under this proposed measure, it is believed that with the introduction or 
establishment of these human settlements the tribal minorities, both Christian and 
Muslims, will no longer feel that they neglected and the resultant benefits would be 
better understanding and harmony among all Filipinos of diverse religious beliefs. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, early approval of this bill is earnestly 
requested. 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGWES OFTHE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
TO PRESCRIBE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT TRlBAL COMMUNITIES AND/OR 
HOUSING IN EACH AND EVERY REGION IN THE PHILIPPINES, INCLUDING 
METRO MANILA, WHICH SHALL SERVE AS MODEL HUMAN SETTLEMENTS 
THAT WILL ADHERE, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, TO THE CULTURE AND 
TRADITIONS OF THE NATIONAL TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, WHILE PROVIDING THE 
BASIC CONVENIENCES OF 
MODERN LIVING, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacfed by the Senate and the House of Represenfafives of fhe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Shod Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pilot Tribal 
Communities Act of 2004." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to establish, 
maintain and ensure adequate shelter, education, health, employment, welfare and 
other social services to national tribal communities and towards this end, the State shall 
establish pilot tribal communities and/or housing projects in order to extend to such 
minorities the benefits now being enjoyed by the other cultural sectors of the country 
while endeavoring to preserve and enhance the distinctive cultures and traditions of 
such tribal groups in the various regions. 
SEC. 3. lmplementing of Policy. - In order to preserve and enhance the 
cultures and traditions of specific tribal communities in the Philippines, the Office of 
Muslim Affairs, Northern Cultural Communities and Southern Cultural Communities, in 
consultation with the Office of the President, shall establish a pilot tribal community 
and/or housing project in each region including Metro Manila. 
- 
SEC. 4. Acquisition of Site the Pilot Tribal Community.- The Offices of 
Muslim Affairs, Northern Cultural Communities and Southern Cultural Communities are 
hereby authorized to acquire by purchase, grant, donation or any other mode of 


acquisition, such adequate and appropriate suites as may be necessary to implement 
this Act and shall cause to be prepared such suitable and distinctive plans, architectural 
and engineering designs for the pilot tribal community in communities which will be 
reflective of the culture and traditions of the tribal community in whose behalf the pilot 
tribal community and/or housing projects shall be established. 
SEC. 5. Basic Service. - In every Pilot Tribal Community and/or housing project 
to be established, there shall be integrated health, education and recreation facilities. 
The design, function and services of which shall as far, as practicable, blend and 
harmonize with the environmental setting adopted for the project. 
SEC. 6. Ru/es and Regulations. - The Offices of Muslim Affairs, Northern 
Cultural Communities and the Southern Cultural Communities, under the Office of the 
President, shall coordinate and issue the necessary rules and regulations with respect 
to application and agreement for occupancy of the tribes concerned. 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the establishments and 
construction of such project, not to exceed the amount approved by the President of the 
Philippines, shall be funded out of the appropriation not otherwise appropriated in the 
National Treasury which shall be recommended by the Offices of Muslim Affairs, 
Northern Cultural Communities and Southern Cultural Communities. Such sums as may 
be necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. Hfecfivify. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,