Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6911

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7356, which created the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA), and Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act
of 2009,” were landmark legislation that sought to preserve our cultural assets. Although
both laws recognize cultural wealth as both tangible and intangible, these nevertheless, put
greater emphasis on our physical cultural heritage, such as, historical shrines, heritage sites,
and monuments.

This house bill intends to address gaps in our efforts to preserve the intangible
aspects of the Filipino culture, specifically our heritage crafts. The 2003 UNESCO Convention
for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, identifiedTraditional Craftsmanship

asone of the five intangible heritage domains. Our Filipino culture, being an amalgamation
of numerous cultures, is richly endowed witha wide diversity of heritage crafts.
Unfortunately, there is not enough resources and programs that preserve, develop,
propagate and elevate the value and importance of our wealth of indigenous artisans and
crafts.

This bill, to be known as, the Filipino Heritage Craft Act, aims to recognize and raise
the value of our intrinsic and indigenous heritage crafts by establishing an integrated
educational program in all levels, from basic, technical/vocational to higher education. This
program will progress from introductory at the basic education level, to technical

proficiency in production, to artistic mastery at the higher education level. Hopefully in the


future, one can pursue a Bachelor's in Fine Arts, with a major in Capiz Shell Artistry or T’boli
Textile Artistry.

Other salient provisions in this bill include the qualification and awarding of honorary
degrees to traditionally-trained indigenous master artisans. These Filipino individuals, with
priceless knowledge and skills on specific crafts, who practice and produce beautiful
products as part of their lifestyles, are a treasures of cultural resources for all Filipinos.

Furthermore, this bill calls for the cooperation and syndication among various
agencies, including the Department of Tourism, Department of Education, Department of
Trade and Industry, with private sector business groups, civil society groups and indigenous

peoples groups, in creating an overarching machinery to zealously promote the products

aC

LUCY TOR EZ
Representative
Fourth District, Leyte

that result from the Filipino Heritage Craft Act.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

11

69
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ

AN ACT PROVIDING FORAN INTEGRATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO DEVELOP,
PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE INTRINSIC AND INDIGENOUSHERITAGE CRAFTSOF THE
PHILIPPINES AND PROVIDING 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 “Filipino Heritage Craft Act.”

SEC. 2.Declaration of Policy. — The Philippine Constitution of 1987, Article XIV, Sections 14,
15, 16 and 17, declare that the State shall “foster the preservation, enrichment and dynamic
evolution of a Filipino culture,”while respecting cultural diversity and espousing artistic and
intellectual freedom. Furthermore, the Constitution mandates the conservation,
development, promotion and propagation of the nation's historical and cultural heritage
and artistic creations. Moreover, this mandate provides the “protection of the State”to our

country’s historical, artistic and heritage wealth.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms should be understood
to mean:

CHED ~ Commission on Higher Education

CSO —Civil Society Organizations

DEPED - Department of Education


DOT — Department of Tourism

DTI - Department of Trade and Industry

Filipino Heritage Craft Educational Program -A multi-level, integrated educational
program aimed at recognizing, institutionalizing, preserving, developing, and
propagating the practice of intrinsic and indigenous Filipino heritage crafts.

NCCA - National Commission for Culture and the Arts

NCIP National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

SLT- School of Living Traditions

TESDA — Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

SEC. 4. Objective. —The objective of this bill is to institutionalize the:
(a) identification and recognition,
(b) research, development, and documentation,
(c) instruction and propagation, and

(d) multi-level qualification of intrinsic and indigenous Filipino cultural skills.

SEC. 5. Creation of the Filipino Heritage Craft Educational Program To implement the
policies and objective declared in this Act, an educational program, to be referred to as,
“Filipino Heritage Craft Educational Program,” shall be established. This program shall
encompass all_levels_ of ~— education, including basic, higher and
technical/vocational. Furthermore, the program —shall_offermulti-level_ and
integratedcourses, that build on from introductory level, to technical level and to artistic

mastery level.

SEC. 6-A. Formation of the Working Group to develop the Filipino Heritage Craft
Educational Program — A working group shall be formed to develop the Filipino Heritage
Craft Educational Program, henceforth referred to as “the Working Group.” This group shall
be composed of the:

(a) DEPED Secretary, or representatives assigned by the secretary,

(b) DTI Secretary, or representatives assigned by the secretary,

(c) DOT Secretary, or representatives assigned by the secretary,

(d) CHED Chairperson, or a representatives assigned by the chairperson,


(e) TESDA Director-General, or representatives assigned by the director-general,
(f) NCCA Chairperson, or representatives assigned by the chairperson,

(g) NCIP Chairperson, or representatives assigned by the chairperson,

(h) Representatives from civil society organizations,

(i) Representatives from indigenous peoples’ organizations,

(i) Representatives from business organizations engaged in heritage crafts, and

(k) Representatives from NCCA’s School of Living Traditions Program and other

relevant institutions.

SEC. 6-B. Tasks of the Working Group to develop the Filipino Heritage Craft Educational
Program — The Working Group shall be tasked to accomplish the following:
(a) Determine and establish criteria and mechanics in identifying intrinsic and
indigenous heritage skills that qualify as valuable to the Filipino culture;
(b) Conduct primary and other research and document the history, traditional
procedures, and other relevant information on significant Filipino heritage skills.
(c) Identify valuable resource persons, who are trained in specific arts through
traditional methods, practice the heritage craft as a way of life, and exhibit
extraordinary abilities in a specific craft. These resource persons will henceforth be
referred to as “Master Indigenous Artisans.”
(d) Identify valuable resource persons, who are trained in specific arts through
traditional methods and practice the heritage craft as a way of life. These resource
persons will henceforth be referred to as “Indigenous Artisans.”
(e) For each qualified Filipino heritage craft, the Working Group shall develop multi-
level, integrated curricula, instruction methodologies and procedures for basic, higher
and technical/vocational levels.
(f) Develop an implementation plan in launching the Filipino Heritage Craft Program
in all levels of education.
(d) Identify synergies between the DTI, DOT, TESDA, CSOs and business organizations

in the promotion of products from Filipino heritage crafts.

SEC. 7. Awarding of Filipino Heritage Master Indigenous Artisan and Indigenous Artisan
Honorary Degrees-As an additional task, the Working Group shall determine criteria and


mechanics in assessing artisans, who are traditionally trained and practicing, in qualified

heritage crafts, as: (a) Master Indigenous Artisan, and (b) Indigenous Artisan.

Artisans, who qualify as Master Indigenous Artisans, shall receive an honorary degree called
Master Indigenous Artisan. On the other hand, artisans who qualify as Indigenous Artisans,

shall receive an honorary degree called Indigenous Artisan.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any section or part of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and

effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in

the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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