Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regiilar Session
HouseBi||No.     8478
Introduced by Representative CHING 8. BERNOS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF
THE pHILlpplNE IIANDrooM WEAVING INDusTRy
ET
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The art of handloom weaving has been an integral part of the cultural
heritage of our country, representing the practices and collective identity of
various indigenous communities. Over time, the art of handloom weaving has
experienced changes from being a form of recreational activity for indigenous
communities and artistic expression of their respective beliefs to a source of
income  for weaver communities  showcasing the  diversity and  creativity of
F`ilipino craftsmanship.
In the Province of Abra, handloom weaving is a tradition that has been
passed on through generations. The centrality of handloom weaving in Abrefio
culture reflects our dedication to preserving this one-of-a-kind tradition. The
importance of handloom weaving in the Province of Abra and in the F`ilipino
culture goes beyond its practical applications.  Handloom-woven textiles are
often  used  for traditional  clothing,  ceremonies,  and  rituals,  making  them
essential   elements   of  cultural   expression   and   identity.   This   tradition
represents the varying cultures of indigenous communities, with the use of
different  patterns  and  colors  for  specific  events.  It  symbolizes  our  deep
connection to our ancestral roots and is a testament to the rich and colorful
tapestry of the country.


To date, there are around 450 weaving groups across the Philippines
including  the  loom  weavers  community  in  Barangay  Bulbulala,  in  the
Municipality  of  La  Paz,  Province  of Abra.  According  to  "Crqfty.ng  Fttfures..
Sustalring  Handloom  Weaving  in the  Phitippines"  a report dy  the  British
Council,  the  weaving industry plays  a vital  role  in  rural employment and
income   source   for   women   nowadays.   A   significant   motivator   in   this
persevering  industry  is  its  ability  to  provide  livelihood  opportunities  for
artisans, particularly women, who are often the primary weavers.  It allows
them to generate income and support their families while maintaining their
cultural  traditions.  It  contributes  to  the  local  economic  development  by
promoting community-based enterprises and sustainable tourism.
Despite the efforts of handloom weaving communities to produce world-
class textiles and preserve this time-honored tradition, the handloom weaving
industry continues to face challenges with the impacts of globalization and
recent developments in industrialization.  Issues such as lack of consistent
access to quality raw materials, limited market demand, inadequate support
in infrastructure development, and insufficient assistance in promoting their
handicrafts, are needed to be addressed with a multi-faceted approach. Above
all,  the  younger  generations  in  handloom  weaving  communities  need  the
support of the government in  order to  conserve  this  tradition  and  provide
stability to our handloom weavers.
Hence, this measure is crafted to recognize the importance of handloom
weaving in our culture and address the abovementioned challenges. It is high
time  that we  acknowledge  the  significance  of this  tradition  and  equip our
handloom weavers with the development and protection they deserve.
In light of the foregoing reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 847'8,
Introduced by Representative CHING 8. BERNOS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF
THE pHILlpplNE HANDrooM wEAvlNG INDusTRy
Be it enacted dy the Serrale cnd, House Of Represeritafu)es Of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1                 SECTION.1.  Short "t[e.  -This Act shall be known as the "Pta.!I.ppi.ne
2      Hcnd:loom Th/:eauing Industry Deuelopmeut Act of 2023."
3                SECTION.  2.  Declaration o/Po[£cg.  -It is the policy of the State to
4     instill  patriotism  and  nationalism  among  the  people,   especially  in  the
5     education  system,  who  shall at all  times  be loyal  to  the  Republic  and  the
6     Filipino people,  promote the preferential use of locally manufactured goods
7     that  utilize  local  resources  and  technologies,  celebrate  the  culture  and
8     heritage of the country through the adoption of measures to elevate its value
9     and  prestige  and  thus  generate  wider  employment  and  inclusive  greater
10     growth  for  the  country  by  preserving  and  nurturing  handloom  weaving
11      activities thus in turn and nurtures the textile culture and heritage of our
12       people.
13                 SECTION.  3.  Deflriztzon  a/ rer7rLs.  -  For  purposes  of this  Act,  the
14      following terms are hereby defined as follows:
15                       a.  Haric!foom -refers to a device used in weaving fabrics by holding
16                           the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of
17                            the weft threads;


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b.  Handloom-wouen  fabric   ~   refers   to   fabric   woven   using   a
handloom;
c.   Hclridzoom uJeaulng trLdrstru - composed of the interrelated and
interconnected component supply chain realizing the production
of textiles through the handloom;
d.  Neoethwic  Phitippines  te>ctiles  -  refers  to  texHles  rnede  Of  or
containing  natural  or  indigenous  materials,   sourced  and/or
produced in the Philippines using updated, relevant, and green
scientific  and  technological approaches  and  innovations;  while
integrating and/ or retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons,
motifs  and/or  approaches,  and  thus,  contribute  to  livelihood
generation and in  sustaining the  local handloom weaving and
textile heritage
14               SECTION.  4.  Estabttshmeat Of the  National Handloom Weaving
15      Deaezopment  Cotinct[.  -    The  National  Handloom  Weaving  Development
16      Council shall be composed of the following:
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a.  Head   of   the   Philippine   Textile   Research   Institute   of   the
Department of Science and Technology as Chair of the Council;
b.  Head of the Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of
the Department of Trade and Industry as Co-Chair;
c.  Head of the  National  Commission for Culture  and the Arts  as
Member;
d.  Head  of  the  National  Commission  on  Indigenous  Peoples  as
Member;
e.   Head   of   the   Technical   Education   and   Skills   Development
Authority, Office of the President as Member;
f.   Head of the Philippine F`iber Industry Development Authority of
the Department of Agriculture as Member;
9.  Head of the Philippine Creative Industry Development Council;
h.  The Representative of the Traditional and Cultural Expressions
Domain   of  the   Philippine   Creative   Industries   Development
Council as Member;


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i.   Head  of  the  Intellectual  Phoperty  Office  of  the  Philippines  as
Member;
j.   A  representative  of an  accredited  handloom  weaving  industry
association as Member;
k.  Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts as
Member;
1.   Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology
as Member;
in. Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and
Entrepreneurship as Member;
n.  Chairperson of the House Committee on Science and Technology
as Member;
o.  Chairperson of the House Committee on Trade and Industry as
Member;
p.  Chairperson   of   the   House   Special   Committee   on   Creative
Industry and Performing Arts as Member;
17               SECTION.    5.    The    Natter.al    Handloom    Weaving    lndustr€|
18     Deue[op#ient Policg. -   The Council shall formulate one (1) year after it is
19     created, the National Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy. This
20      shall include, but not limited to, the following:
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a.  Formulation of the Handloom Weaving Industry Roadmap;
b.  Innovations in handloom design and engineering;
c.  Technical support mechanism for sustainable handloom weaving
activities;
d.  Development and promotion of nco-ethnic Philippine textiles;
e.  Development   of  Philippine   Standards   for   Handloom   Woven
Textiles;
f.   Intellectual property protection framework for textiles;
9.  Development of a database of Philippine textiles;
h.  Development    of   Textile-related    Technical    and    Skills    and
Vocational Programs; and


i.   Education and Training.
2                The Council shall implement and monitor the measures to enable the
3      Policy.
4                SECTION. 6. Appropriatfoiis. -The amount of Ten Million pesos (Php
5      10,000,000.00)  is  hereby authorized  to  be  appropriated  from  the  National
6     Treasury for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as
7     may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated as
8     a distinct and separate item.
9                SECTION.  7.  Jmpzementzng Rttles and Regztzactons.  -Within  sixty
10      (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Director of the philippine Textile
11      Research   Institute   of  the   Department   of   Science   and   Technology,   in
12     coordination with the Garment and Textile Industry Development office of the
13     Department of Trade and Industry, the National commission on culture and
14     the  Arts,  the  Technical  Education  and  Skills  Development  Authority,  the
15     Philippine   Fiber  Industry  Development  Authority  of  the   Department  of
16     Agriculture,   the  Intellectual  Property  Office  of  the  Philippines,  and  the
17      Philippine   Creative   Industries   Development   Council   shall   promulgate
18     implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
19                 SECTION. 8.  Separab€ZitE/ Chattse. -If any provision or part thereof is
20     held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
21      otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
22                 SECTION.  9.  Repea[£ng  Chatlse.  -  Any  law,  presidential  decree  or
23     issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or
24     regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
25     repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
26                 SECTION.10. E/Tectiultgi c[ousc. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15)
27     days  after  its  publication  in  a  newspaper  of  general  circulation  in  the
28      Philippines.
Approved,