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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) RECEIVED <2)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) m
First Regular Session ) .
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. _3620_

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON “JOLO” B. REVILLA III

AN ACT
PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS
AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND
CONSERVATION

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Indigenous writing systems have existed in the Philippines long before Wester
colonizers invaded our country. Written accounts have indicated that the locals were
already literate and proficient in reading and writing indigenous scripts. Among the
traditional writing systems that were used in communicating and doing business in the
precolonial era were the Baybayin (Katagalugan), Buhid (Mindoro), Kulitan
(Pampanga), Tagbanwa (Northern Palawan) and Jawi (Greater Sulu).

With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Roman/Latin alphabet was introduced as
a means to teach Christianity which pushed aside the use of the native scripts. Inthe
latter part of the Spanish occupation, the use of local scripts has further waned that
eventually resulted in the dissipation of basic awareness and knowledge about the
local scripts from the general population's memory.'

In the modern times where technological advancements have made leaps and
bounds, the dominance of major world languages and writing systems in all aspects
of human living further endangered our indigenous writing systems. If the government
does not take conscious effort towards their preservation, they will eventually be
forgotten by our people.

+ (Norman de los Santos, 2015, Philippine indigenous Writings in the Modern World,
hittp://ical3.ling sinica.edu.tw/Full_papers_and_ppts/July_21/P4-1.paf.


As part of our national cultural heritage, indigenous writing systems must be
preserved, propagated and protected to ensure that our local traditions will be
embedded in every Filipino's awareness.

In view of this, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

REP. MERCADO-REVILLA
Representative
24 District of Cavite AGIMAT Partylist

REP. RAMON “JOLO” REVILLA III
Representative
1 District of Cavite


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. _3620_

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III

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. Title. - This Act shall be known henceforth as the “Philippine
Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to inculcate,
propagate and preserve the cultural heritage and treasures of the Philippines as a
means to foster patriotism and social consciousness among the citizenry. To this
end, there is a need to promote, protect, preserve and conserve the Philippine
indigenous and traditional writing systems, using these as tools for enhancing cultural
development, instilling national pride and identity, and safeguarding Filipino cultural
heritage and identity.

Sec. 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.


The writing systems as expression of Philippine Traditions and national identity
shall be promoted through the following:

(a) Mandate the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) to include these writing systems in relevant subjects of
basic and higher education and offer an elective or specialized course in
higher education on the study of the same;

(b) Creation and support of activities that promote awareness of the writing
systems, particularly during the Buwan ng Wika and similar occasions and
events.

(c) Conduct seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other relevant
activities on the study of the writing systems, taking into consideration of the
writing system that is indigenous to a particular region;

(d) Ensure proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of
oral evidence on the writing systems; and

() Other applicable measures, a may be adopted by the concerned
government agencies.

Sec. 4. Protection, Preservation and Conservation of Indigenous or Traditional
Scripts of the Philippines. — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
shall be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines in the promotion of the
writing systems.

Accordingly, the NCCA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and conserve
the writing systems as a national cultural treasure as provided in Republic Act No.
10066, otherwise known as the ‘National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.” The NCCA
shall coordinate with the DepEd, CHED, and other relevant government agencies for
the proper implementation of this provision.


Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
approval of this Act, the NCCA shall, in coordination with the DepEd and CHED,
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
fegulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and amended accordingly.

Sec. 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,