RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ave 03 JUL 205
Quezon City, Metro Manila p —k4oan

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Brit No, 1201

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and languages. Among the
most profound yet underappreciated legacies of our ancestors are the indigenous and
traditional writing systems of the Filipino people, scripts that served as vital instruments of
communication, record-keeping, and identity long before colonization disrupted their use
and transmission.

This proposed measure, the “Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems
Act,” seeks to preserve, promote, and protect these ancient writing systems such as
Baybayin, Kulitan, Surat Mangyan, Tagbanwa, and others across the archipelago. These
scripts are not merely remnants of the past; they are living symbols of our diverse heritage
and important expressions of Filipino creativity, language, and cultural resilience.

The bill institutionalizes government support through concrete measures: the inclusion of
these writing systems in the curriculum of basic and higher education; the conduct of
awareness activities during cultural events such as Buwan ng Wika; academic seminars and
symposia; and proper documentation and preservation efforts. The National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall take the lead in implementing these cultural safeguards
with support from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and relevant local government
units.

Through these collaborative efforts, we take a crucial step in empowering indigenous
communities, revitalizing cultural pride among the youth, and ensuring that these unique
expressions of Filipino identity are not lost to time but are instead passed on to future
generations.

It must be emphasized that this same measure was passed on Third Reading by the
House of Representatives during the 19th Congress, reflecting broad support across
sectors for the preservation of our national cultural heritage.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. ZQMAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
1st District, Lanao del Sur


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1201

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

AN ACT
PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING
SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION,
AND CONSERVATION

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Indigenous and
Traditional Writing Systems Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to foster the
preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based
on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual
expression. To this end, the State shall promote, protect, preserve, and conserve
the Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems as a means to inculcate
patriotism and social consciousness among the citizenry.

SEC. 3. Promotion of Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing
Systems. - To generate greater awareness of indigenous and traditional scripts of
the Philippines and engender wider appreciation of their significance and beauty,
the promotion of the writing systems is hereby recognized as part of our cultural
treasures.

As expressions of Philippine tradition and symbols of the national identity, the
country's indigenous writing systems shall be promoted through the following
measures and activities:

(a) Inclusion of these writing systems in relevant subjects of basic and higher
education such as elective or specialized courses in higher education on the study
of the same;

(b) Conduct of activities to be spearheaded by the Department of Education, the
Commission on Higher Education, and local governments that promote awareness of
the writing systems, particularly during Buwan ng Wika and similar occasions and


events;

(c) Conduct of seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other relevant
activities on Philippine writing systems, taking into consideration the writing system
that is indigenous to a particular region;

(d) Ensure proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral
evidence on the writing systems; and

(e) Other applicable measures, as may be adopted by the concerned government
agencies.

SEC. 4. Protection, Preservation and Conservation of Indigenous or
Philippine Traditional Scripts. - The National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA) shall be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines on the
promotion of the writing systems.
Accordingly, the NCCA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and conserve the
writing systems as national cultural treasures in accordance with Republic Act No.
10066, otherwise known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.” The NCCA
shall coordinate with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) for technical
assistance on the development of the Philippine languages and writing, and with the
DepEd, CHED, and other relevant government agencies for the proper
implementation of this provision.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after
the approval of this Act, the NCCA shall, in coordination with the DepEd, CHED and
KWF, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts, sections and provisions not
otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. 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 or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,