THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
"04 JI-V 31i MI 3 7  
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
>: . 
I
,
 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ' ' 
" 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution states that "The State shall give 
priority to education, sciences and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human 
liberation and development." 
The rich heritage of the Filipino people have attracted a number of scholars, both 
local and foreign, to venture into further studies in this area. Valuable books and 
chronicles, as well as historical artifacts and materials are very rich sources of 
information about our culture and tradition. A Filipino cannot boast of being a true 
Filipino if he is not aware of his cultural origin. 
Filipinos who are permanent or temporary residents abroad, whether workers or 
students, are not exemptions to this responsibility. In cognizance of the role of the 
State in the promotion of the appreciation and awareness of the Philippine national 
heritage, this "Education and Heritage Program for Overseas Filipinos Act of 2004 is 
being proposed. This bill intends to teach Filipino language and Philippine history and 
institution in the Philippine diplomatic and consular establishments. It also provides for 
the establishment of the Philippine schools and Filipiniana Resource Centers in different 
Filipino communities abroad. These measures will equip the overseas Filipinos with 
knowledge about their very own culture and tradition. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
G ~ Y  
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
S.B. No. 
e 
9113 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION AND CULTIVATION OF THE 
FILIPINO HERITAGE AMONG FILIPINOS OVERSEAS THROUGH THE 
TEACHING OF FILIPINO LANGUAGE AND HISTORY, ASSISTANCE IN THE 
ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF Pl-hLIPPINE SCHOOLS AND 
FILIPINIANA 
RESOURCE CENTERS ABROAD, AND THE CREATION OF A 
COMMITTEE ON HERITAGE AND CULTURE FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS, 
AN APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the “Education and 
Heritage Program for Overseas Filipinos Act of 2004.” 
SECTION 2. 
Declaration Policies. The State recognizes the importance of 
education, both formal and informal, as a means of promoting human development, 
fostering patriotism and nationalism, accelerating progress, and propagating knowledge 
about the Philippines’ history and cultural heritage. 
It is also the policy of the State to preserve, promote, and enhance the ties 
between the Philippine homeland and the Filipino communities overseas, in particular 
with younger generations of Filipinos overseas, in order to keep them from being 
alienated from their native country and to provide them with knowledge and values that 
would contribute to the shaping of their Filipino character and identity. 
Toward this end, the State shall develop and promote the provision of critical 
educational needs, as well as the continued exposure of younger generations of 
Filipinos overseas to the Filipino language and Philippine history and institutions. 


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act: 
a) “Overseas Filipinos” shall refer to Filipinos who are permanent or temporary 
residents abroad namely, Filipino emigrants who are defined as clientele of 
the Commission on Filipinos Overseas workers, and all Filipino youth and 
students abroad. 
b) “Philippine Schools Abroad shall refer to any educational institutions abroad 
whose establishment is duly recognized, its educational program accredited, 
and upon meeting the minimum standards or criteria, given a permit to 
operate as a Philippine school by the Department of Education, Culture and 
sports. 
SECTION 4. Preservation of the Filipino Heritage. The State through its 
relevant agencies and instrumentalities, and in cooperation with communities or 
associations abroad, shall preserve and promote Filipino heritage and culture among 
Filipinos overseas through the following activities. 
a) Teaching of Filipino Language and Philippine History and Institutions. - All 
Philippine diplomatic and consular establishments shall provide assistance 
and support to Filipino communities and associations, as well as other 
organizations overseas, to encourage the conduct of regular or weekend 
classes in Filipino and in Philippine history and institutions for the benefit of 
children parentage and overseas Filipinos in general. 
b) Assistance in the Establishment and Operation of Philippine Schools Abroad. 
The Philippine schools to be established abroad pursuant to this Act shall be 
community-based institutions to provide courses of instruction in the 
elementary and secondary levels, consistent and in accordance with the 
Philippine educational system and other regulations as may be promulgated 
by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. 
c) Establishment and Operation of Filipiniana Resource Centers. - All Philippine 
diplomatic and consular establishments shall allocate space for the 
establishment and maintenance of a permanent library and collection of 
Filipiniana materials such as books, films, video and audio tapes, journals, 
photographs, musical scores, artwork and artifacts, for reference anduse by 
members of Filipino communities overseas. 
SECTION 5. 
Role of Philippine Diplomatic and Consular Establishment 
Overseas. 


All diplomatic and consular establishments shall make available to overseas 
Filipinos the services of an officer to promote programs and activities in furtherance of 
this Act. Among other duties, this officer shall perform the following: 
a) Organize, in coordination with community members, the conduct of regular 
classes in Filipino and Philippine history at embassykonsulate premises or 
other venues; 
b) Organize the conduct of special lectures and discussion meetings on 
Philippine history, culture, institutions and current events, and 
c) Assist members of the Filipino community in organizing regular community- 
based classes in Filipino and Philippine history. 
SECTION 6. 
Establishment of a Committee on Heritage and Culture for 
Overseas Filipinos. - 
The cooperation among 
Government departments and 
agencies shall be vital in carrying out the objectives of this Act. Toward this end, a 
Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos shall be established and 
composed of the heads of, but not limited to, the following agencies: the Department of 
Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Commission on the Culture 
and Arts (NCCA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Commission on 
Filipino Language, and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). 
a) The Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos shall be 
chaired by the Department of Education Culture and Sports, and co-chaired 
by the Department of Foreign Affairs. 
b) The Commission on Filipinos Overseas shall provide Secretariat support and 
take the lead in coordinating and implementing the programs and activities of 
the Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos. 
SECTION 7. Responsibilities of the Committee on Heritage and Culture for 
Overseas Filipinos. - The Committee shall have the following powers, duties and 
responsibilities. 
a) Formulate policies and guidelines to carry out the provisions of this Act, 
including the promulgation of rules and regulations necessary thereof; 
b) Develop appropriate strategies for the teaching of Philippine history and 
language among overseas Filipinos, including the use of innovative 
educational methods and advanced information technologies; 
c) Assign specific duties and responsibilities to Committee members as may be 
necessary in carrying out the policies and provisions of this Act; 


Provide periodic study, monitoring and assessment of the programs and 
services as provided for in this Act to advance Filipino heritage and culture 
among overseas Filipinos; 
Ensure effective and efficient implementation of policies and programs under 
this Act through the holding of regular meetings or consultative meetings and 
development of a coordinated reporting system for member agencies and 
other instrumentalities; and 
Call on any agency of the government, private sector, and the academe for 
support to the programs in this Act as may be established by the Committee. 
SECTION 8. 
Participation of Filipino Associations and Communities 
Abroad. - Filipino associations and Filipino communities abroad shall be activated as 
primary partners of government department and agencies concerned in the 
operationalization and implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 9. Appropriations and Other Sources of Funding. To initially 
carry out programs under the provisions of this Act, the amount of Ten Million Pesos 
(PI 0,000,000.00) is hereby initially appropriated for the Committee Secretariat, of which 
Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) 
shall come from revenues of the Commission on 
Filipinos Overseas; and Seven Million Pesos (P7,000,000.00) from travel tax 
collections, with such amounts to be automatically appropriated from the General Funds 
for subsequent years. 
SECTION I O .  Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
The Committee on 
Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos, composed of Government departments 
and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations 
for effective implementation thereof. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provision 
of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions shall not be 
affected thereby and shall continue to be operative. 


SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. This law shall take effect after (15) days from 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation whichever, comes earlier. 
Approved.