Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

OCHLBLNo. 2 oO +

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution has very wisely given the highest priority to the protection and
promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural communities to ensure their economic, social and
cultural well-being,

Thus, in its declaration of principles and state policies, the Constitution in Article 11,
Section 22, provides that “(t)he State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
Communities within the framework of national unity and development.” In its article on the
national economy and patrimony, the Constitution in Article Xil, Section 5 provides that ‘the
State x x x shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands’
and expressly authorizes Congress to provide “for the applicability of the customary laws
governing property rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral
domain.” In its provisions on education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports, the
Article XIV, Section 17 of the Constitution provides that “(t)he State shall recognize, respect and
protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures,
traditions and institutions” and “shall consider their rights in the formulation of national plans and
policies.”

In light of the above provisions, it is imperative that the government should adopt policies
and programs for indigenous cultural communities. But to ensure that these policies and
programs are based on facts and an enlightened judgment, it is necessary to have a continuing
in-depth study of the indigenous cultural communities, who should also participate in such
study. This is the reason for the proposed creation of a center for studies on indigenous cultural
communities.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA
Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

2
H.B.No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE CENTER FOR STUDIES ON
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of th
Congress assembled: ” © Paiipnes in
SECTION 1. There is hereby established a Philippine Center for Studies on Indigenous

Cultural Communities in the University of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. The center shall conduct research and policy studies for the protection and
promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural communities to ensure their economic, social and

cultural well-being and provide an opportunity to both Muslims and non-Muslims to participate in
national life and development.

SEC. 3. The center shall be composed of the existing Institute of Islamic Studies in the
University of the Philippines and an Institute of Studies on Non-Islamic Cultural Communities in
the Cordilleras and other regions."

SEC. 4. The center shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed for
a term of five (5) years by the President, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments,
from among the members of the faculty of the University of the Philippines and other state
colleges and universities. The faculty member appointed as executive director shall, during his
service as such, be deemed as on leave from his position as faculty member.

SEC. 5. The center shall organize annually a national conference on indigenous cultural
communities participated in by government agencies, public officers, local and international
organizations and academic institutions with functions, activities and/or programs related to the

promotion or protection of these communities.

The main agenda of the conference shall be the continuing studies on these
communities. In addition to recommendations on further studies, the conference shall also make

recommendations on policies and programs concerning indigenous cultural communities.


SEC. 6. To carry out the purpose of this Act, the sum of Ten Million pesos
(P10,000,000.00)is hereby authorized to be appropriated out ‘of the funds of the National
Treasury, not otherwise appropriated for the current fiscal year.

Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be

included by the Department of Budget and Management in the proposed budget to be approved
by Congress.

SEC. 7. Should any part, section or provision of this Act be held invalid or
unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision hereof shall be affected thereby.

SEC. 8. All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with or
contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly,

‘SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,