Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __4978

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
past (Rep. Belaro’s HB 6419) congress.

The Constitution provides that the State recognizes and promotes the rights of
indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and
development. It is also provided that the State shall recognize the right of
indigenous families and communities to retain shared responsibility for upbringing,
training, education and well-being of their children, consistent with the rights of the
child.

Despite the different attempts to empower our indigenous brothers and sisters,
much more needs to be done - especially when it comes to education.

As such, it is high time that we provide a framework that will further provide our
indigenous brothers and sisters with the opportunity to engage in nation building by
establishing at least one (1) basic education school in every indigenous cultural
community. Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOH! VIN NUL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. eo

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOL IN EVERY
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “School for every Indigenous Peoples
Community Act of 2018”

SECTION 2. The State shall protect and Promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels of education and shall take appropriate steps to make such

education accessible to all.

The Constitution provides that the State recognizes and promotes the rights
of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and
development. The State shall recognize the right of indigenous families and
communities to retain shared responsibility for upbringing, training, education and
well-being of their children, consistent with the rights of the child.

SECTION 3. As used in this Act:

a) Basic Education refers to the intended basic learning needs which provides the
foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It includes
kindergarten, elementary and secondary education as well as alternative
learning systems for out-of-school learners and those with special needs,

b) Basic Education School refers to learning institutions accredited by the
Department of Education (DepEd) to deliver services addressing the intended
basic learning needs of the students; and

¢) Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous Peoples Community refers to the same
definition stated in Section 3h, Ch. 2 of RA NO. 8371 or the Indigenous
Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 which describes it as “groups of people or
homogenous societies who have lived as organized community on communally
bounded and defined territory and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have
resisted political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous
religions and cultures, or the establishment of Present state boundaries.

‘SECTION 4. It is herein mandated that there shall be established at least
one Basic Education School for every Indigenous Peoples Community in the country.


SECTION 5. Indigenous Peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and
transmit to future generations their histories, oral traditions, philosophies, writing
systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for
communities, places and persons.

SECTION 6. It shall inculcate in the curricula the effective measure to ensure that
the Indigenous Peoples can understand and be understood in Political, legal and
administrative Proceedings, where necessary by means of provisions of
interpretation or by other appropriate means.

SECTION 7. The Department of Education, in consultation with Committees on
National Cultural Communities of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and
other concerned agencies is herein tasked to formulate the Implementing Rules and
Regulation of this Act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 8. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and

subsisting.

SECTION 9. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.
SECTION 10. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,