Xl DATE February 2, 2022
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10752

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS / TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS,
THE USE OF BAYBAYIN AS A TOOL FOR CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR ITS PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND
CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

The ‘Baybayin’ is an ancient Philippine system of writing composed of a set of 17 cursive
characters or letters which represents either a single consonant or vowel or a complete
syllable. It was a sophisticated written language that was used to conduct commerce and
trade with Malaysia, Indonesia, and countries in the Middle East.

The Baybayin is not merely an ancient writing system but it is the pride of our race. It is
an integral part of our cultural and national identity. This proposed measure declares the

“Baybayin” as National Writing Script of the country. It provides for the promotion,
protection, preservation and conservation for posterity for the next generation.

Ale

Luis JUND fLRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 10752

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS / TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS,
THE USE OF BAYBAYIN AS A TOOL FOR CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR ITS PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND
CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Philippine Indigenous /
Traditional Writing Systems Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
inculcate, propagate and preserve the cultural heritage and treasures of the Philippines
for the evolution and development of patriotism among the citizenry by giving utmost
priority to the conservation and promotion of arts, letters and culture. Towards this end,
there is a need to promote, protect, preserve and conserve “Baybayin, and the other
Philippine Indigenous / Traditional Writing Systems (Writing Systems),” using it as a tool
for cultural and economic development to create a consciousness, respect and pride for
the legacies of Filipino cultural history, heritage and our authentic identity.

Section 3. Declaration of “Baybayin” as Philippine Indigenous / Traditional
Writing Systems (National Writing Script). — To generate greater awareness on the
plight of “Baybayin” and foster wider appreciation on its importance and beauty,
“Baybayin” is hereby declared the National Writing System of the Philippines. As used in
this Act, “Baybayin” shall refer to all existing and discovered ancient and traditional
scripts of the Philippine indigenous peoples such as Baibayin in Tagalog (Doctrina, 1593
& San Buenaventure, 1613) Pintados in Panay/Negros (1572), Sambal in Zambales
(1601), Kumintang in Batangas (1843), Guhit n Bicol (1835), Surat binisaya (1637),
Kulitan Sulat Kapampangan (1699), Kurditan in llocano (1620), Surat Mangyan Buhid
and Surat Mangyan Hanunuoo in Mindoro (1792), and Surat or Suyat Palawan and
Tagbanua in Palawan, Jawi Maguindanao and Jawi Tausug (The Surigao Declaration,


2018),

Section 4. Funding. — An initial budget of One Hundred Twenty Million Pesos
(P120,000,000.00) is hereby allocated for this Act. The funds necessary to carry out the
provision of this Act shall be included in the General Appreciation Act of the year
following its enactment into law and thereafter.

Section 5. Promotion of Philippine Indigenous / Traditional and “Baybayin” as the
National Writing System of the Philippines. — “Baybayin” as the National writing
system representing Philippine traditions and national identity shall be promoted.
Philippine Indigenous / Traditional and “Baybayin” as a representation of the Philippine
traditions and national identity shall be promoted through the following:

a. By mandating the Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), to include the Writing Systems in relevant subjects of the
basic education curriculum and to create an elective or specialized course in
higher education and technical vocational programs for the same;

By creating and supporting activities that promote the awareness of the Writing
Systems during Buwan ng Wika and other similar occasions and events;

By conducting seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia, and other
relevant activities on the study of the Writing Systems, taking consideration of
the writing system that is indigenous to a particular region; and

. By ensuring the proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation
of oral evidence on the Writing Systems.

. By mandating the local government units LGUs to include the appropriate
“Baybayin” script in their signage for street names, public facilities, public
buildings, and other necessary signage for other public service establishments
such as hospitals, fire and police stations, community centers and government
halls;

By directing the appropriate government agency to disseminate knowledge and
information about “Baybayin” script by distributing reading materials in all levels
of public and private educational institutions and government and private
agencies and offices to instil awareness of the declaration of “Baybayin” as the
national writing system and to conduct staff trainings for the proper handling of
these important documents.

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Section 6. Protection, Preservation and Conservation of Indigenous / Traditional
Scripts of the Philippines. — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA)
shall be the lead agency in promulgating policy guidelines in the promotion of the Writing
Systems. The NCAA is hereby mandated to protect, preserve, and conserve the Writing
Systems as a National Cultural Treasure. NCAA shall coordinate with DepEd, and CHED,
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other relevant agencies
for the proper implementation of the same.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
approval of this Act, the NCAA, in coordination with DILG, DepEd, CHED, and TESDA,


shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this
Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. — If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other part, section and provision not otherwise
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.