Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session

House Bill No:_2929

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to provide benefits to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Davao del Sur.

Many of these minorities are unable to gain access to sufficient training and education,
giving them less chance for employment and making them more vulnerable to poverty. If social
justice is to be achieved, the benefits of education should be extended to the IPs who are naturally
living in remote areas of our country.

Pursuant to Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution, the State recognizes and
promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity
and development, Furthermore, as provided by the Republic Act No. 8371, the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) shall protect and promote the interest and well-being
of the IPs with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions. Whereas, the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is tasked to manage and supervise
technical education and skills development 'in the country.

Itis therefore the intent of this bill to recognize the rights of the IP, by providing an avenue
of learning for the IPs through the agencies of the government. Their participation to nation
building shall be equally recognized as they are significant part of the Philippines” culture and
heritage.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly-sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session

3919

House Bill No:_

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAG

AN ACT ESTABLISHING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES TRAINING AND LEARNING CED RIN THE PROVINCE OF
DAVAO DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Davao del Sur Indigenous
Peoples Training and Learning Center.”

SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy: There shall be established, through the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) jointly with the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), an indigenous training and learning center in Davao del Sur where
the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) live. It shall provide the IPs livelihood opportunities, through
education, seminars, and literacy programs for language and cultural preservation

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms: For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall
mean as herein defined:

a. Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples - refer to a group of people or
., homogenous societies identified by. seff-ascription and ascription by other, who have
# continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined territory,

and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed
Gustoms, tradition and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to
political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, ‘non-indigenous religions and culture,
became historically’ differentiated from the majority-of Filipinos. ICCs/IPs shall likewise
include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the
populatiofs which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or-at the
time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present


state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political
institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may
have resettled outside their aricestral domains;

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) - refer to the office created under
Republic Act No. 8371, which shall be under the Office of the President. It shall'be the
primary government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of
policies, plans and programs to promote and protect the rights and well-being of the IPs
and the recognition of their rights

SECTION 4. Agencies Concemed: The NCIP shall coordinate with the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of the building where the skills
trainings and learning sessions shall be conducted. The NCIP shall ensure that there will
be enough equipment or materials for trainings and learning sessions

SECTION 5. Appropriations: Funding of which shall be charged to the appropriations for

TESDA and NCIP under the General Appropriations Act. The local government concerned shall
also set aside funds from any available local revenues in an amount deemed appropriate for their
operationalization and maintenance.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause: If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be

deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provision thereof shall not be affected
thereby and shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause: All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and

regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with ary provision of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly,

SECTION 8. Effectivity: This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in

the Official gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,