TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
820
Senate
of I Ilf s>ra'f!ai;p
25 AUG-4 PI 37
RECEIVED IT
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN (INSTITUTE FOR 
LIVING TRADITIONS) TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND 
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNAL TRADITIONS, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 OR THE NATIONAL CULTURAL 
HERITAGE ACT OF 2009, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is home to over 110 ethno-linguistic groups, whose diverse 
cultural expressions, including epic chants, weaving techniques, ritual performances, 
and community knowledge systems, represent the living core of the nation.1
This wealth of intangible heritage is increasingly threatened by the accelerating 
forces of modernization and material development, largely influenced by highly 
industrialized societies. The pursuit of material goods and instant gratification often 
overshadows the long-standing tradition of self-realization through the cultivation of 
character, craft, and creativity. These traditions, transmitted through generations via 
music, dance, oral poetry, carving, and weaving, are rapidly being displaced by the 
homogenizing pull of consumerism.
Among the youth, there is growing disengagement from ancestral traditions, 
as modern lifestyles prioritize convenience and digital immediacy over patient learning 
and mastery of cultural forms. This disconnect has profound consequences for the
1 United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Fast facts: Indigenous peoples in the Philippines. 
UNDP Philippines.
https://www.undp.org/philippines/publications/fast-facts-indigenous-peoples-philippines
1


sustainability of our cultural heritage, particularly those practices that require years of 
apprenticeship and immersive community participation.
In response to the growing threats to our intangible cultural heritage, this bill 
proposes the establishment of the Linangan ng Likhang-Bayan (Institute for Living 
Traditions), a dedicated institution under the National Commission for Culture and the 
Arts (NCCA), mandated to safeguard, revitalize, and promote Filipino communal 
traditions across generations. The Linangan shall serve as a central institution to 
coordinate and elevate efforts toward cultural transmission, particularly in intangible 
heritage domains.
The Linangan will consolidate national efforts to institutionalize Schools of 
Living Traditions (SLTs), develop specialized training programs in traditional and 
indigenous knowledge systems, and provide both formal and non-formal learning 
pathways with national recognition. It shall prioritize practices at risk of extinction and 
emphasize the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as rituals, 
craftsmanship, poetry, and oral traditions, rather than focusing solely on the collection 
of material objects. It shall likewise promote equal participation in the creative 
process, recognize the intrinsic and diverse value of human cultural expressions 
beyond economic measurement, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the distinct 
visions of life and art embodied in Filipino cultural communities.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No._S20
ni till' I'-'cr.n-p
25 AUG-4 P1 37
RECEIVED BY
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN (INSTITUTE FOR 
LIVING TRADITIONS) TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND 
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNAL TRADITIONS, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 OR THE NATIONAL CULTURAL 
HERITAGE ACT OF 2009, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the''National Cultural
2 
Heritage Act of 2009' is hereby amended with the addition of a new Article after
3 
Section 47 in order to read as follows:
4 
"ARTICLE XIII
5 
LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN
6 
SEC. 48. CREATION OF LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN
1 
(INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS). - THERE IS HEREBY
8 
CREATED AND ESTABLISHED A LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN
9 
(INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS) WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE
10 
IS TO SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT CENTER AND LABORATORY FOR
11 
THE PROTECTION, PROMOTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF
12 
PHILIPPINE COMMUNAL TRADITIONS.
13 
SEC. 49. FUNCTION. - AS THE SOLE INSTITUTE FOR
14 
TECHNICAL, BASIC, AND HIGHER EDUCATION, BOTH FORMAL
15 
AND NON-FORMAL, IT SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE NATIONAL
16 
COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA) FOR POLICY


1 
AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WITH SOLE EMPHASIS ON
2 
THE TRADITIONAL AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS.
3 
SEC. 50. CONVERGENCE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT
4 
ENTITIES AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. - IN THE MANAGEMENT
5 
OF THE LINANGAN NG LIKHANG-BAYAN, INCLUDING BUT NOT
6 
LIMITED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS CORE COURSES AND
7 
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION, THE NCCA SHALL WORK IN CLOSE
8 
COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT
9 
OF EDUCATION, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
10 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
11 
EDUCATION. THE NCCA SHALL ENDEAVOR TO WORK WITH
12 
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF ITS FUNCTION
13 
AS THE CENTER AND LABORATORY FOR PHILIPPINE COMMUNAL
14 
TRADITIONS.
15 
SEC. 51. MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS OF LIVING
16 
TRADITIONS. - AS AN ATTACHED OFFICE OF THE NCCA, THE
17 
INSTITUTE FOR LIVING TRADITIONS SHALL BE IN CHARGE OF
18 
THE CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS OF LIVING
19 
TRADITIONS.
20 
SEC. 52. APPROPRIA TIONS. - THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO
21 
CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE
22 
APPROPRIATED 
IMMEDIATELY 
TO 
BE 
GENERATED 
FROM
23 
WHATEVER SOURCE THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE NATIONAL
24 
TREASURY."
25 
All succeeding sections after the insertion of the new provisions are hereby
26 
renumbered accordingly
27 
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision
28 
of this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions
29 
hereof shall not be affected thereby.
30 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations,
31 
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
32 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,