Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
       EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The academic regalia is referred to as the official uniform worn by university 
officials, faculty, graduates, and awardees during academic functions. Commonly 
seen in graduation ceremonies and graduation pictures in social media sites during 
graduation season, the academic regalia serves as a distinguishing factor and a symbol 
of the values that the academic institution represents. 
The use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles created by the local community 
craftsmen aims to showcase our culture and heritage in order to produce an academic 
regalia that is truly Filipino. With an average of 300,000 graduates from SUCs 
annually, the opportunity of creating jobs for communities is also an impetus to the 
creation of this proposal. 
It is the purpose of this bill to utilize the resources we have, especially from the 
far-flung places of the country to display and preserve our Filipino culture, and give 
back to the same communities that skillfully produce neo-ethnic textiles. 
This bill was first filed by Rep. Loren Legarda in the 18th Congress. This bill is 
a copy of the Third Reading Copy that was transmitted to the Senate in the 18th 
Congress.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
PRESCRIBING THE USE OF NEO-ETHNIC PHILIPPINE TEXTILES IN THE 
ACADEMIC REGALIA OF ALL STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND 
APPROPRIATING 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 "Philippine Academic 
Regalia Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism 
and nationalism among the people especially the youth whose academic preparation 
for adulthood and responsible citizenship include values formation on love of 
country and pride in the uniqueness of their cultural heritage. In this regard, 
opportunities for diplating these values shall be encouraged by the school system not 
only as part of value development, but to preserve Philippine culture and certain local 
traditions, and create avenues, such as the wearing of an academic regalia that is not 
only truly Filipino but likewise distinguishes graduates of Philippine universities and 
colleges while giving back to the communities in the countryside through job creation 
and production of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles, that allow for the promotion of 
culture-based industries. 
Pursuant thereto, the use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles in the academic regalia of 
all state universities and colleges (SUCs) is therefore prescribed. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
(a)           Academic regalia refers to the official garb worn by university officials, faculty, 
graduates, and awardees during graduation, commencement exercises, and other 
academic functions; and  
(b)           Neo-ethnic Philippine textiles refer to textiles made of or containing natural or 
indigenous materials, sourced, and produced in the Philippines using updated, 
relevant, and green scientific and technological approaches and innovations, while 
integrating and retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons, motifs, and approaches, 
and thus, contributing to livelihood generation and sustaining the local handloom 
weaving and textile heritage 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Philippine Academic Regalia Council. —There is hereby 
created a Philippine Academic Regalia Council, hereinafter referred to as the 
“Council”, which shall be chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Director of the Philippine Textile 
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI), 
respectively. The Council shall have the following members: 
(a) Representative from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCCA); 
(b) Representative from the Philippine Association of State Universities and 
Colleges (PASUC); 
(c) Representative from the University of the Philippines System (U.P.); and 
(d) Representative from the Department of Trade and Insutry (DTI). 
SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Councils shall have the 
following specific powers and functions: 
(a) Formulate the National Academic Regalia Policy; 
(b) Review, standardize, and adopt the academic regalia for graduates, 
administrators, faculty, and awardees of SUCs; 
(c) Ensure sustainability, quality control, and availability of yarns, dyes, and loom 
parts; 
(d) Propose ways to incorporate neo-ethnic textiles in the academic regalia; 


(e) Prepare and publish a handbook containing information on the academic 
regalia and its proper use, protection, trade, and management; and 
(f) Protext the intellectual property rights as regards design silhouettes, textile 
pattern, color, and textile specification for the academic regalia. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in consultation with the DOST-PTRI, NCCA, 
UP, PASUC, and DTI, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
  
SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
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.