FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m9 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The rich heritage of the Filipino people has attracted scholars, both local and 
foreign, to venture into further studies in this area. The books and chronicles written, as 
well as historical artifacts and materials are rich sources of information about our culture 
and traditions. A Filipino cannot claim to be a true Filipino if he is not aware of his 
cultural moorings. 
Filipinos who are permanent or temporary residents abroad are not exempt from 
this cultural responsibility. In cognizance of the role of the State in the promotion of the 
appreciation and awareness of Philippine national heritage, this "Education and 
Heritage Program for Overseas Filipinos Act" is being proposed. This bill intends to 
teach Filipino language and Philippine history, culture and institutions in Filipino 
communities overseas. It also provides for support to the establishment of Philippine 
schools and Filipiniana Resource Centers in Filipino communities abroad. These 
measures aim to provide overseas Filipinos with knowledge about their own history, 
culture and traditions. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
.. . 
. . 
1! 
I .  
J 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m9 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
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 PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS AND FlLlPlNlANA CENTERS 
ABROAD AND ESTABLISHING A TRUST FUND THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Education and 
in Congress assembled: 
Heritage Program for Overseas Filipinos Act" 
Section 2. Declaration of 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 Philippine history and the Filipino 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. 
The State shall also promote the establishment of educational institutions and 
programs, and the continued exposure of younger generations of Filipinos overseas to 
the Filipino language and Philippine history, culture and arts. 
The State shall also continuously strengthen ties with Filipino communities and 
associations abroad to encourage their active participation its programs and activities 
that shall enable children of Filipino nationals abroad to gain expos- to the Filipino 
language, as well as knowledge about Philippine history and institutions. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms -For the purposes of this Act: 
(a) "Overseas Filipinos" refer to all Filipinos who are permanently or temporarily residing 
abroad. 


(b) "Philippine Schools Overseas" refer to educational institutions operating outside the 
Philippines, which may be fully or partly owned by Filipinos, and managed or Operated 
by Filipinos, which implement the Philippine education curriculum, and which are 
accredited or awaiting accreditation by the Department of Education. 
Section 4. Preservation of the Filipino Heritage - The State, through its relevant 
agencies and instrumentalities, and in cooperation with Filipino communities or 
associations abroad, shall preserve and promote the Filipino heritage and culture 
among Filipinos overseas through the following activities: 
(a) Teaching of Filipino language and Philippine studies - 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 regular 
conduct of classes in Filipino and in Philippine history, geography, culture and 
institutions for the benefit of children of Filipino parentage and overseas Filipinos in 
general. The learning of Filipino and Philippine history and culture utilizing advances in 
information technology shall also be promoted. 
(b) Assistance in the Establishment and Operation of Philippine Schools Overseas - All 
Philippine diplomatic and consular establishments shall provide assistance in the 
establishment and operation of community-based Philippine schools abroad where 
feasible, to provide regular courses of instruction in the elementary and secondary 
levels, subject to regulations as may be promulgated by relevant agencies of the 
Philippine government. 
(c) Establishment and Operation of Filipiniana 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, costumes, and 
artifacts, for reference and use by members of Filipino communities overseas. 
Section 5. Role of Philippine Diplomatic and Consular Establishments - 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 any or all of the following: 
a) Organize, in cooperation with community members, the conduct of regular 
classes in Filipinos and Philippine history, geography, culture and institutions at 
embassy I consulate premises or other venues; 
b) Assist and advice community members in establishing Philippine schools 
wherever feasible, in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations of both the 
Philippines and the host country, and in coordination with the Inter-Agency 
Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas; 
c) Organize the conduct of special lectures and discussion meetings on Philippine 
history, geography, culture, institutions, and current events; and 
d) Assist members of the Filipino community in organizing regular community- 
based classes in Filipino and Philippine studies. 
Section 6. Establishment of a Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas 
Filipinos - A Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos shall be 
established to supervise implementation of the provisions of this Act,. and shall be 
composed of the heads of the following agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Department of Education, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Overseas 
Workers Welfare Administration, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and two members 


from the private sector to be appointed by the President upon recommendation by the 
Committee. 
The Committee on Heritage and Culture for Overseas Filipinos shall be chaired by 
the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, which shall also provide secretariat support, and 
co-chaired by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. 
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 for its implementation; 
b) Develop appropriate strategies and mechanisms 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; 
d) 
Provide periodic study, monitoring, and assessment of the programs and 
services as provided for in this Act to preserve and advance Filipino heritage and 
culture among overseas Filipinos; 
e) Ensure effective and efficient implementation policies and programs under this 
Act through the holding of regular or consultative meetings and development of a 
coordinated reporting system for member agencies and other instrumentalities; and 
9 Call on any agency of the government, private sector, and the academe to support 
the programs as may be established by the Committee. 
Section 8. Participation of Filipino Associations and Communities Abroad - 
Filipino associations and communities abroad shall be activated as primary partners of 
government departments and agencies concerned in the operationalization and 
implementation of this Act. 
Section 9. Source of Funding - A permanent trust fund is hereby established for 
the purpose of carrying out programs and activities under the provisions of this Act, with 
the amount often million pesos (PIO, 000, 000. 00) hereby appropriated from the 
income of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Thereafter, the amount equivalent to 
fifty per cent of all yearly incomes of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas derived 
from the registration of emigrants shall automatically 'accrue to the trust fund. 
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 12. 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 part 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 fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,