9 JUL -2 
j ’/.. 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
m x ~ : i i i E r ~  
V“P’ : 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
417 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
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 XII, 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. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
1 
7 JUL -2 
! ' I  ; 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
IIECEIVED f3Y " -. 
S E N A T E  
S.NO. 417 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
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 the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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 Ifistitute 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 (PlO,OOO,OOO.OO) 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,