Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2394 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitutions declares that it is the responsibility of the State to inculcate 
patriotism and nationalism among the youth. One meaningful way to do this is by incorporating 
our rich cultural identity into significant academic milestones through the use of neo-ethnic 
textiles in academic regalia. 
Neo-ethnic textiles refer to “natural and/or indigenous materials, sourced and/or 
produced in the Philippines using updated, relevant and green scientific and technological 
approaches and innovations by spinners, dyers, weavers, and artisans”.1 Meanwhile, 
academic regalia is the official garb worn by university officials, faculty, graduates, and 
awardees during graduation, commencement exercises, and other academic functions.  
This proposed bill prescribes the use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles in the academic 
regalia of all state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges not only to instill 
patriotism among our youth and preserve Filipino heritage, but as well as support the local 
weaving industry by creating sustainable job opportunities for the communities that skillfully 
produce these traditional textiles. The measure also provides for the creation of the Philippine 
Academic Regalia Council, which shall develop a national policy on academic regalia and 
oversee the responsible integration of neo-ethnic textiles into the ceremonial attire. 
This measure received the support of the technical experts from the Department of 
Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute and was approved by the House 
of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate during the 19th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
1 Philippine Textile Research Institute. (2013, December 3). Neo-ethnicism of Philippine textiles: Technology marries age-old 
indigenous traditions. https://ptri.dost.gov.ph/transparency/privacy-notice/2-transparency-seal/uncategorised/3-neo-ethnicism-
of-philippine-textiles-technology-marries-age-old-indigenous-traditions 
July 28, 2025
10:30 am


HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2394 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE USE OF NEO-ETHNIC PHILIPPINE TEXTILES IN THE 
ACADEMIC REGALIA OF ALL STATE AND LOCAL 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 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 displaying these values shall be encouraged 
by the school system not only as part of values development, but to preserve Philippine culture 
and certain local traditions, and create avenues, such as the wearing of academic regalia that 
is based on Filipino ethnic and traditional design to promote the production of neo-ethnic 
Philippine textiles, boost the national effort to develop culture-based industries, and in the 
process create jobs in local communities.  
Pursuant thereto, the use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles in the academic regalia of 
all state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) is 
therefore prescribed.  
 SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(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.
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 as members:  
  
(a) Representative from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA);  
  
(b) Representative from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);  
  
(c) Representative from the Philippine Association of State Universities and 
Colleges (PASUC);  
  
(d) Representative from the University of the Philippines (UP) System;   
  
(e) Representative from the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU); 
and  
  
(f) Representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).  
 
SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Council. – The Council 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 and LUCs;  
  
(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) Protect the intellectual property rights as regards design silhouettes, textile 
pattern, color, and textile specification for the academic regalia.  
  
SECTION 6. Mandatory Coordination with the Council. – Pursuant to the provisions of this 
Act,  all SUCs and LUCs shall be required to coordinate with the Council to ensure that neo-
ethnic Philippine textiles shall be prescribed  in their academic regalia, specifically in the   hood, 
robe or gown worn by students in important occasions, such as hooding ceremony or  
graduation from either a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree, as well as the faculty and 
other members of the academic community, and may be incorporated in the headgear  
(mortarboard cap or tam), mortarboard tassel, stole, and cord, among others.   
 
SECTION 7. 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, 
ALCU, DTI and other relevant stakeholders, issue the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.     
 
  
SECTION 9. 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 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
  
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,