TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE	
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES	
) 
First Regular Session	
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON “JOLO” B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING 
SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND 
CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Indigenous writing systems have long existed in the Philippines, long before 
Western colonizers invaded our country.  Historical records reveal that early Filipinos 
were already literate, and proficient in reading and writing indigenous scripts.  Among 
the traditional writing systems used for communication, trade, and cultural 
expression during the pre-colonial era were the Baybayin (Katagalugan), Buhid 
(Mindoro), Kulitan (Pampanga), Tagbanwa (Northern Palawan) and Jawi (Greater 
Sulu). 
With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Roman/Latin alphabet was introduced, 
primarily as a tool for Christianization, which gradually displaced the use of these 
native scripts.  As colonization progressed, the use of local scripts further waned, 
eventually leading to their marginalization and erasure from mainstream cultural 
memory.   
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In modern times where technological advancements have made leaps and 
bounds, the dominance of major world languages and writing systems in all aspects 
of human living have further endangered the survival of these indigenous writing 
systems. Without deliberate and sustained government intervention, there is a real 
risk that these vital expressions of our cultural identity will fade into oblivion.   
 (Norman de los Santos, 2015, Philippine Indigenous Writings in the Modern World, http://
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ical13.ling.sinica.edu.tw/Full_papers_and_ppts/July_21/P4-1.pdf.   
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4:31 pm
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As an essential part of our national cultural heritage, Philippine indigenous 
writing systems must be preserved, propagated and protected. They are not only 
symbolic of our people’s creativity and linguistic diversity but also serve as living 
connections to our ancestral knowledge and traditions. 
While the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is mandated under Republic 
Act No. 7104 to promote and preserve Philippine languages and writing systems, 
and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is empowered under 
Republic Act No. 10066 to safeguard cultural heritage, this proposed measure seeks 
to strengthen and institutionalize an inter-agency framework that will enhance the 
promotion, protection, preservation, and conservation of these scripts. This shall be 
accomplished through education, policy development, documentation, and 
community engagement. 
By mobilizing educational institutions, cultural agencies, local governments, 
and other relevant stakeholders, this Act aims to elevate indigenous writing systems 
into national consciousness and ensure their transmission to future generations.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought.  
REP. LANI MERCADO-REVILLA 
Representative 
2nd District of Cavite
REP. BRYAN B. REVILLA 
Representative 
AGIMAT Partylist
REP. RAMON “JOLO” REVILLA III 
Representative 
1st District of   Cavite
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE	
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES	
) 
First Regular Session	
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING 
SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR 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. Title. – This Act shall be known henceforth as the “Philippine 
Indigenous Writing Systems Promotion Act.”  
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to recognize, 
preserve, and promote the richness and diversity of Philippine cultural heritage, 
including indigenous and traditional writing systems that reflect the historical, 
linguistic, and artistic traditions of the Filipino people. These writing systems are vital 
expressions of Filipino identity and serve as essential instruments for cultural 
empowerment, inclusive education, and social cohesion. 
The State shall therefore ensure the promotion, protection, preservation, and 
conservation of these indigenous and traditional scripts as part of the national 
patrimony. 
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Sec. 3. Institutional Responsibilities. – To ensure the meaningful 
implementation of this Act, the following government agencies and institutions shall 
undertake the following responsibilities, consistent with their respective mandates: 
(a) Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) 
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Shall take the lead in the study, promotion, development, 
standardization, and teaching of indigenous and traditional writing 
systems, in accordance with Republic Act No. 7104, or “An Act 
Creating the Commission on the Filipino Language, Prescribing its 
Powers, Duties and Functions, and For Other Purposes.” 
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Shall coordinate the documentation, digitization, and linguistic 
development of these scripts, and produce instructional and education 
materials. 
-
Shall maintain a national inventory of traditional scripts and their 
respective regions of origin, in collaboration with other cultural and 
academic institutions. 
-
Shall initiate awareness campaigns and cultural activities in 
coordination with other cultural agencies, particularly during Buwan ng 
Wika, National Indigenous Peoples Month, and other relevant 
observances. 
(b) National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) 
-
Shall recognize and declare traditional scripts as Important Cultural 
Property, or National Cultural Treasure, as appropriate, in accordance 
with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10066, or the “National Cultural 
Heritage Act of 2009.” 
-
Shall formulate policy guidelines and implement strategic cultural 
programs to promote and safeguard traditional scripts. 
-
Shall provide grants and technical assistance to support the 
revitalization and transmission of indigenous scripts in cultural 
communities. 
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(c) Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED) 
-
Shall integrate the study and appreciation of indigenous and traditional 
writing systems in the basic and higher education curricula. 
-
CHED shall encourage the offering of elective or specialized courses 
focused on these writing systems in tertiary institutions. 
(d) National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) 
-
Shall lead in the conservation, exhibition, and scholarly research of 
artifacts bearing indigenous scripts. 
-
Shall support museum-based educational programs on Philippine 
traditional writing systems, in partnership with the KWF and NCCA. 
(e) National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) and National Library of the 
Philippines (NLP) 
-
Shall ensure the long-term preservation, secure archiving, and public 
accessibility of documents, records, and cultural materials in both 
physical and digital formats. 
-
Shall assist in the documentation, digitization, and preservation of oral 
histories, manuscripts, inscriptions, and records related to indigenous 
and traditional writing systems. 
(f) Local Government Units (LGUs) 
-
Shall support local initiatives to promote and safeguard traditional 
writing systems, particularly those historically and culturally rooted in 
their jurisdictions. 
-
Shall work in coordination with schools, community organizations, and 
cultural offices to strengthen awareness and transmission at the 
grassroots level. 
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(g) Academic and Research Institutions 
-
Shall conduct interdisciplinary studies, develop localized educational 
materials, and contribute to capacity building, cultural mapping, and 
community-based script revitalization programs.  
Other concerned agencies may adopt appropriate complementary measures 
to ensure the sustained advancement and revitalization Philippine traditional scripts.  
Sec. 4. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the implementing 
agencies. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
LGUs are likewise encouraged to allocate funds from their local budgets to 
support the implementation of relevant programs and activities under this Act. 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the NCCA and the KWF, in coordination with the DepEd, CHED, 
and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules 
and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.  
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – If any part, section or provision of this Act shall 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts, sections and provisions not 
otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.  
Sec. 7. 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 and amended accordingly.  
Sec. 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,
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