Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
‘Second Regular Session

Comore REPORT NO._£933

gare 2H!
‘Submitted by the Committee on National Cultural Comununities on .
Re: House Bill No. 5180

Recommending its approval with amendments

Sponsors : Representatives Baguilat, Rodriguez (R.) and Catamco

MR. SPEAKER:

The Committee on National Cultural Communities to which was referred House Bill No.
$180, introduced by Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr., entitled:

“AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE CELEBRATION
OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES”

has considered the same and recommends its approval with the following amendments:

1. On Section 2, lines 4 to 6, delete the entire provision and in lieu thereof, insert the
following: “SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS
THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.- AUGUST 9 OF EVERY
YEAR IS HEREBY DECLARED THE NATIONAL DAY OF [DIGENOUS,
PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES, TO BE CELEBRATED AS A SPECIAL
WORKING HOLIDAY."

2. On Section 4, lines 10 to 11, after the word “effect” delete the phrase "fifteen (15) days.
upon its publication in two newspapers of national circulation” and in lieu thereof,

insert. the phrase "AFTER FIFTEEN (18) DAYS FOLLOWING | ITS

PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE OR IN TWO (2) NATIONAL

NEWSPAPERS OF GENFRAL CIRCULATION IN THE PHILIPPINES.” and

The title of the bill shall now read as: "AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF

EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE

PHILIPPINES"

we

with Reps. Baguilat, Rodriguez. (R.), and Catamco as authors thereof.

tee on National Cultural Communities
THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
House of Representatives

Quezon City


FACT SHEET

House Bill No. 5180
(As Approved on October 10, 2011)

"AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL DAY
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES”

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT JR.
Committee Referral: NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES
Committee Chairperson: REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAF, JR.

OBJECTIVES:

+» To assign a permanent day for the national celebration of the country's indigenous
cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs), honoring their contribution 10 the
cultural, social and political developments in the country

= To synchronize the country’s celebration of indigenous peoples day with the
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

KEY PROVISIONS:
© Declares August 9 of every year as the National Day of Indigenous Peoples in the
Philippines.

© Directs the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to promulgate the rules and
regulations in order to attain the objectives of the Act

RELATED LAWS:

« 1987 Philippine Constitution
+ Republic Act No. 8371, "The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997”


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City *

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _” 5189

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE CELEBRATION
OF THE WATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE

PHILIPPINES

In 1994 the United Nations General Assembly decided that the Internationa! Day
of the World's Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on August 9 every year to
mark the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the United Nations Working Group
on Indigenous Populations of the i on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights. This day is being celebrated every year by the
estimated 300 miltion population of indigenous peoples worldwide

In the Philippines August 9 is celebrated by many indigenous organizations,
Support groups inctuding the United Nations offices based here in the country.

Peoples in the country still remain to be part of the most
marginalized and discriminated sector of the society and their plight remain pited
up with the many other issues that this country is facing.

‘The annual observance of the National Day of Indigenous Peopies will be a key
venue to advance indigenous peoples rights and welfare. This bill seeks to
increase the awareness and generate support on the respect for the rights and
Promotion of the collective well being of indigenous peopies in our country.

‘Support for this bil qmestly requested.

TEDDY Bi

IWNER BAGUILAT JR.
Lone Di Of Ifugao



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
‘Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _’ 5189

Introduced by REP, TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE CELEBRATION
OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

/ Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It Is hereby declared a policy of the government
2 to advance the rights and collective well being of indigenous peopies through the
3 annual observance of the National Day of Indigenous Peopies in the Philippines

#. Section 2. Speciat Working Holiday. The National Day of Indigenous Peoples in
& the Philippines is hereby declared a Special working holiday in the whole country
© every year .

7 Section 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Commission on
& Indigenous Peoptes shati Promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this
g At

@ Section 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its
# publication in two. Newspapers of national circulation,

Approved.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES
HELD ON 10 OCTOBER 2021 AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON, RVM BUILDING CONFERENCE
ROOM 6, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Ir, — Committee Chairperson
Rep. Nancy A. Catamco - Vice-Chairperson
Rep. Maximo B. Dalog - Vice-Chairperson
Rep. Eric G. Singson, Jr.

Rep. Carlos M. Padilla

Rep. Luzvirninda C. llagan

Rep. Leopoldo N. Batzoil

Rep. Nasser C. Pangandaman

Rep. Reynaido V. Umali

Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez

Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez

GuEsTS:

Mr. Alberto Acosta, National Statistics Office

Ms. Aurora Reolaias, National Statistics Office

Dep. Exec. Dir. Marlene Ruth S. Sanchez, National Commission on Culture and the Arts
Ms. Prudencia Sanoy, Department of Education

Ms. Erlinda F. Leva, Department of Education

Mr. Mar Gaton, KATRIBU

A. INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE BILL NO, 4701, “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE FREE
BIRTH REGISTRATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,” by Rep. Rufus 8. Rodriguez and Rep
Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. and

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that House Bill 4701 is an affirmative action for the country's
indigenous peoples {IPs}, many of whom cannot have their civil acts and events
registered due to the physical distance of their places of abode from the municipal and
city centers. Because they hardly deal with government offices and are seldom
beneficiaries of government programs and projects, many IPs do not see the
importance of complying with the civil registration law, especially if they are made to
pay for the transaction, he added. He stressed that it should be the government,
working with the private sector, that should initiate programs and education campaigns
to encourage the IPs to participate in the civil registation program. Finally, he said that
since the cost of registration is a major constraint in 1? civil registration, HB 4701 calls


for free birth registration, both timely and late, and will penalize government officials
who will ask for payment.

Ms. Reolalas of the National Statistics Office (NSO) said that pursuant to Republic Act
No. 3753, the Law on Registry of Civil Status, her office is mandated to issue all
regulations pertaining to civil registration. She said that as a result of their studies and
consultations with various government agencies, the NSO issued on May 14, 2004
‘Administrative Order No. 3, Series of 2004, the RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING
REGISTRATION OF ACTS AND EVENTS CONCERNING CIVIL STATUS OF FIUPINO
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, which governs the registration of acts and events concerning
the civil status of indigenous peoples, such as registration of births, deaths, marriages,
dissolution of marriage and revocation of dissolution of marriage. The law also takes
into consideration the customs and traditions followed by the different IP groups, she
added

Ms, Reolalas said that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Project or the 4Ps, supports the
civil registration program because proof of registration of birth is required in order to
avail of the conditional cash transfer. She said that the 4Ps program has immensely
improved the rate of civil registation among the IPs. Instead of a new law, she called for
massive education campaign by government agencies, to be spearheaded by the NCIP,
to convince IPs about the importance of civil registration.

Mr. Alberto Acosta, also of the NSO, said that civil registration is done at the local civil
registry office, a part of the local government unit which collects the registration fees
and penalties for timely and delayed registration, He said that although NSO is
eventually the depository of the documents coming from the local civil registrars, it is
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which supervises the focal
civil registrars. Noting the provision on the waiver of fees, Mr. Acosta recommended
that the Committee also invite the representatives of the local civil registrars and the
LGUs, which directly supervise the locat civil registrars, to comment on the potential
impact of the measures on the financial position: of LGUs, especially in areas thickly
populated by ICCs/IPs.

Citing his background as a former Mayor, Chairperson Baguilat concurred with the
‘observation of Mr. Acosta on the financial impact of the proposal. He said that free civil
registration for IPs might be opposed by LGUs from the Cordilleras and other areas
where 80 to 90 percent of the population are IPs, but saw no problem with the LGUs in
other areas where IP groups are the minority.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez noted that compared to his measure, which is limited to free
registration of birth, House Bill No. 5184 of Rep. llagan would pose a problem with the
LGUs because it also covers registration of death, marriage, etc., and would therefore
imperil fiscal positions.

‘On motion of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, seconded by Rep. Catamco, the committee agreed
to constitute a technical working group composed of the NCIP, NSO, League of Cities,
League of Municipalities and the Department of the interior and Local Government to


conduct pertinent studies and prepare a consolidated version of the measures.

B. Initial Consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 5184, “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A FREE AND
CULTURE-SENSITIVE CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES," by Rep. Luzviminda C. llagan, Rep. Emmi A. de Jesus, Rep. Teodoro
Brawner Baguilat, Jr., and Rep. Mel Senen S$. Sarmiento

Rep. llagan called for a culturally sensitive society. She said that being culturally:
sensitive is being aware that IPs have their own culture, their own traditions and their
own way of looking at things. In the case of civil registration, she said that IPs do not
follow the western way of reckoning time, and have their own concept of territorial
boundaries, which should be respected and not discriminated. Thereafter, she said that
since most of the IPs could not afford to pay for the fees and other expenses in order to
comply with the processes of the civit registration law which is being imposed on them
in order to avail of government services and programs, government should make the
process free for them in the same manner that the majority should be sensitive to the
unique cultural practices of the IPs.

Ms. Marlene Ruth S, Sanchez, Deputy Executive Director of the National Commission on
Culture and the Arts (NCCA}, extolled the merits of the bill particularly on the call for
cultural sensitivity. She said that many IPs don’t refer to the calendar when making
recollections about events but relate events in their lives to the seasons, ie, "the
weather was cold” or “it was raining when my child was born.” In the preparation of the
implementing rules and regulations, what should be given emphasis is how to capture
such kind of recollection as basis for registering events in the lives of the IPs, she added.

Chairperson Baguilat invited the NCCA as part of the technical working group which was
constituted during the deliberation of the Rodriguez bill. He also commended the
NCCA‘s efforts to devote their resources for the benefit of the 1Ps, even to the point of
mandating their legal staff to provide legal services or assistance to the !Ps.

Ms. Sanchez volunteered a member of the NCCA Subcommission on Cultural
Communities to sit as member of the TWG.

Mr. Francis Allen dela Cruz of the Department of Education reported his agency's
programs for the IPs, particularly their ongoing celebration of IP month and as
implementing partner of members of Congress for IP and Muslim Education Framework.

Ms. Reolalas reiterated that in implementing NSO’s AO No. 3, series of 2004, the rules
provide for the utilization of actual events in registering the civil status of {Ps.

Chairperson Baguilat said that the task of the TWG would include reviewing existing
administrative policies.

Rep. Maximo Rodriguez recommended the expansion of the coverage of the bills to
include the Muslims who are themselves IPs and are also victims of poverty. The lack of
birth certificates is one of the reasons why many of the Muslim brothers find difficulty in


securing passports, he said.

On the manifestation of the NCCA said that Muslim groups such as the Maranaws are
also considered IPs, Rep. Dalog said that the bill should specify that it will cover all 1Ps
regardless of religion, specially the Muslims.

The NSO, through Ms. Reolalas, said that its fist of IPs in the Philippines contain 176
ethnic groups, which include the Maguindanao, Tausog, Maranaw, etc. for the Muslims.

Mr. Acosta of NSO also said that the registration of members of Muslim communities
are covered by a separate administrative order, AO 1083.

Chairperson Baguilat stressed that the consolidated bill to be crafted would provide that
the implementing rules and regulations will specify the steps that would capture the
various ways by which the different IP groups recall the dates of the various events in
their lives.

C. Initial consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 4563, "AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 8371
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ACT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES,” by Rep. Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Ir.

Citing the results of several public hearings and consultations all over the country on
the state of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples after the passage of
Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997
(IPRA), Chairperson Baguilat said that there is a prevailing impression that the National
Commission on indigenous Peoples (NCIP), which was created by the IPRA to
implement the provisions of the law, has not been able to meet the expectations of its
constituents. Thus, he called for the approval of House Bill No. 4563, which aims to
create a Congressional Oversight Committee, to ensure budgetary allocation for
congressional monitoring activities on the programs and activities of the NCIP. He
cited the tedious task of creating a technica! working panel each time an IP-related
issue arises and the difficulty of finding immediate resources to mobilize a study team.
He added that most comprehensive faws affecting other sectors have joint
congressional oversight committees.

‘On motion of Rep. llagan, with no objection from the other members, the Committee
approved House Bill No. 4563. The Committee also unanimously approved her motion
that the members present be made as co-authors.

D. Initial consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 5180, "AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY
YEAR AS THE CELEBRATION OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE
PHILIPPINES,” by Rep. Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Jr.

Chairperson Bagullat said that the basis of his bill is the fact that there is no IP day being
celebrated in the country, @ day that will give focus on the iPs, their achievements,
problems, and their aspirations. He said that thge rationale of his bill was inspired by
the clamor of the guests and participants during the cetebration of IP Day in the House


of Representatives last August 9.

Mr, Dela Cruz said the DepEd issued various press releases announcing their celebration
‘of IP month. He said that they are being guided by Presidential Proclamation No. 1906
which states that October 29 of every year is Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day.

Chairman Baguilat said that October 29 celebrates the signing of the IPRA while August S
follows the global celebration, International Indigenous Peoples Day.

Ms. Sanchez said that it was the NCCA which initiated the issuance of Proclamation No.
1906 and Proclamation No. 486, celebrating Indigenous Peoples Month and Indigenous
Peoples Thanksgiving Day. He said that the NCCA-sponsored Dayaw Festival, an P-
centered celebration every October, is a convergence activity and includes teaching
sessions with the IPs about their rights and providing legal and technical assistance to
the IPs.

Rep. llagan said that having a special day for IPs would have greater advantage because
it would be considered as a signal for agencies of the government, say Depf€d or CHED,
to devote a day that will focus on IP concerns and issues which could be integrated into
the subject matter on that particular day.

Ms. Sanchez said that in the NCCA, every first Monday they are required to wear
traditional {P dress and they even have a contest with prizes as incentives for the best
dressed of an IP costume.

Ms. Prudencia Sanoy of the DepEd said that her office has issued the necessary
instructions for the celebration of the IP festivat.

After the clarificatory questions from Rep. Dalog, the Committee agreed that there is no
conflict with celebrating August 9 of every year as 1P Day, which will usher various
celebrations and activities from different agencies and will culminate in October 29, the
IPRA day thanksgiving celebration.

Upon motion of Rep. 8. V. Umali, seconded by Rep. Nasser Pangandaman, the
Committee approved House Bill 5180, declaring August 9 of every year as the
celebration of national Day of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines.

€, Other Matters.

1. Mr. Paul Viray of the NCCA, on query of Rep. Umali, said that his office is engaged in
various programs and projects for the IPs, such as the School for Living Traditions or
SUTs all over the country. The intention of the program, he said, is to teach the
younger IP generations about their heritage to ensure the cultural preservation of
each tribal group.

Rep. Umali encouraged the various agencies to tap the resources of international
funding institutions which are very supportive of projects that benefit IP groups. He


said that in his district, a tram line is being constructed which will provide access to
the tribal community in the hinterlands without destroying the environment that
building a road would result. Thereafter, he asked the NCCA to submit its plans and
programs for the IPs, particularly for the Mangyans in Mindoro.

2. Chairperson Baguilat invited the members to attend the IP Congress in Butuan City
which the committee was co-sponsoring with the Manobo Tribe af Agayon Hawudon
Datu Tagleong on October 19-21.

There being no other matters to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

a

Prepared by: “MARLON T. VALENCIA
Committee Secretary

Noted by: TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT, IR.
Commipfee Chairperson