Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Baybayin is one of the pre colonial writing systems used by the Filipinos. 
Records show that as early as the 16th Century, baybayin was already used as a 
writing system and evidence can be seen to show that these writings were done using 
pigments or engraved via sharp bamboo sticks. 
Pedro Chirino, in “Relacios de las Islas Filipinas,” explain that when they 
arrived in the Philippines, he observed that the Filipinos were already able to establish 
their own writing system, as well as, being able to group themselves into small 
communities that he referred to as barangays. The written accounts of Pedro Chirino 
even show some examples of how baybayin is written. 
The measure seeks to declare Baybayin as the National Writing Script of the 
country. It also outlines provisions to promote baybayin as the National Writing 
System of the Philippines. 
In the 18th Congress, this bill was filed by Representatives Nieto and 
Villafuerte. The measure was approved by the House of Representatives on third 
reading, and transmitted to the Senate.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING THE PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS / TRADITIONAL WRITING 
SYSTEMS, THE USE OF BAYBAYIN AS A TOOL FOR CULTURAL 
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR ITS PROTECTION, 
PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Philippine Indigenous / 
Traditional Writing Systems Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
inculcate, propagate and preserve the cultural heritage and treasures of the 
Philippines for the evolution and development of patriotism among the citizenry by 
giving utmost priority to the conservation and promotion of arts, letters and culture. 
Towards this end, there is a need to promote, protect, preserve and conserve 
“Baybayin, and the other Philippine Indigenous / Traditional Writing Systems 
(Writing Systems),” using it as a tool for cultural and economic development to create 
a consciousness, respect and pride for the legacies of Filipino cultural history, 
heritage and our authentic identity. 
SECTION 3. Declaration of “Baybayin” as Philippine Indigenous / Traditional 
Writing Systems (National Writing Script). - To generate greater awareness on the 
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plight of “Baybayin” and foster wider appreciation on its importance and beauty, 
“Baybayin” is hereby declared the National Writing System of the Philippines. As 
used in this Act, “Baybayin” shall refer to all existing and discovered ancient and 
traditional scripts of the Philippine indigenous peoples such as Baibayin in Tagalog 
(Doctrina, 1593 & San Buenaventure, 1613) Pintados in Panay/Negros (1572), Sambal 
in Zambales (1601), Kumintang in Batangas (1843), Guhit n Bicol (1835), Surat 
binisaya (1637), Kulitan Sulat Kapampangan (1699), Kurditan in Ilocano (1620), Surat 
Mangyan Buhid and Surat Mangyan Hanunuoo in Mindoro (1792), and Surat or 
Suyat Palawan and Tagbanua in Palawan, Jawi Maguindanao and Jawi Tausug (The 
Surigao Declaration, 2018). 
SECTION 4. Funding. — An initial budget of One Hundred Twenty Million Pesos 
(P120,000,000.00) is hereby allocated for this Act. The funds necessary to carry out the 
provision of this Act shall be included in the General Appreciation Act of the year 
following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
SECTION 5. Promotion of Philippine Indigenous / Traditional and “Baybayin” as 
the National Writing System of the Philippines. — “Baybayin” as the National 
writing system representing Philippine traditions and national identity shall be 
promoted. Philippine Indigenous / Traditional and “Baybayin” as a representation 
of the Philippine traditions and national identity shall be promoted through the 
following: 
a. By mandating the Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), to include the Writing Systems in relevant subjects of the 
basic education curriculum and to create an elective or specialized course in higher 
education and technical vocational programs for the same; 
b. By creating and supporting activities that promote the awareness of the 
Writing Systems during Buwan ng Wika and other similar occasions and events; 
c. By conducting seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other 
relevant activities on the study of the Writing Systems, taking consideration of the 
writing system that is indigenous to a particular region; and 
d. By ensuring the proper record-keeping of relevant documents and 
preservation of oral evidence on the Writing Systems. 
e. By mandating the local government units LGUs to include the appropriate 
“Baybayin” script in their signage for street names, public facilities, public buildings, 
and other necessary signage for other public service establishments such as hospitals, 
fire and police stations, community centers and government halls; 


 
f. By directing the appropriate government agency to disseminate knowledge 
and information about “Baybayin” script by distributing reading materials in all 
levels of public and private educational institutions and government and private 
agencies and offices to instil awareness of the declaration of “Baybayin” as the 
national writing system and to conduct staff trainings for the proper handling of 
these important documents. 
SECTION 6. Protection, Preservation and Conservation of Indigenous / Traditional 
Scripts of the Philippines. — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCAA) shall be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines in the promotion 
of the Writing Systems. The NCAA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and 
conserve the Writing Systems as a National Cultural Treasure. NCAA shall 
coordinate with DepEd, and CHED, the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) and other relevant agencies for the proper implementation of 
the same. 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the 
approval of this Act, the NCAA, in coordination with DILG, DepEd, CHED, and 
TESDA, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other part, section and provision not 
otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.