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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4263 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING 
PHILIPPINE 
INDIGENOUS 
AND 
TRADITIONAL 
WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, 
PRESERVATION, AND CONSERVATION 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Culture and language are inextricably linked together, such that writing 
systems can be used to trace one’s roots and connect with one’s culture.  
In the Philippines, there is an abundance of writing systems which have been 
existing since the pre-colonial era. One of them is the Baybayin, which comes from 
the word baybay, which means “to spell”.  Although this system of writing was 
eventually set aside due to the widespread use of the Latin alphabet during the 
Spanish colonization1, scientists from the University of the Philippines Diliman 
College of Science Institute of Mathematics (UPD-CS IM) believe that the Baybayin 
was living proof that Filipinos already had their own “technically-sophisticated 
traditions”2.  
1 Solon, K. G. (2022, August 18). How Baybayin’s Legacy Lives On. Humanist Alliance Philippines International. 
Retrieved June 26, 2025, from https://hapihumanist.org/2022/08/18/baybayin-legacy/ 
2 Patron, E. J. (2024, September 9). AI-powered baybayin translator being developed by mathematicians. Daily 
Tribune. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://tribune.net.ph/2024/09/08/ai-powered-baybayin-translator-being-
developed-by-mathematicians 
September 1, 2025
3:49 pm


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Over the past two decades, Baybayin became popular among young people 
for aesthetic purposes. However, while these writing systems are being revived 
again, it remains vulnerable and in danger of misrepresentation and alteration due to 
technological 
advancements. 
Proper 
standardization, 
publication, 
and 
documentation must be established in order for the writing systems to sustain its 
intrinsic characteristics.  
Thus, this bill seeks to promote, protect, preserve, and conserve the Philippine 
indigenous and traditional writing systems. Through the National Commission for 
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), policy guidelines on the promotion of the writing 
systems shall be institutionalized, thereby enhancing cultural development, instilling 
national pride and identity, and safeguarding Filipino cultural heritage and identity. 
Through this bill, the State will be able to fulfill its duty to recognize, respect, 
and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop 
their cultures, traditions, and institutions and to consider these rights in the 
formulation of national plans and policies3.  
This measure was also filed during the 19th Congress and was primarily 
referred to the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, where it was approved 
on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K.  ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 
3 Article XIV, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4263 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
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. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Indigenous 
and Traditional Writing Systems Act”. 
SECTION 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 


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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. 
 
SECTION 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; 


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(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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 


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SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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,