NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 2286
Senate
23 JUN26 P4--19
aUCSV?.OBV:......
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE USE OF NEO-ETHNIC PHILIPPINE TEXTILES IN THE 
ACADEMIC REGALIA OF ALL STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "The State 
recognizes the vital role of the youth In nation-building and shall promote and 
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall 
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement 
in public and civic affairs."
As enshrined in the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the State to instill 
patriotism and nationalism among the Filipino youth. The using and wearing of the 
academic regalia with the use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles encourages youth to 
appreciate their heritage and preserve their culture.
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. This would also create a huge opportunity of 
creating jobs for communities which produced these textiles.


The Philippine Academic Regalia Council will be created to formulate a 
National Academic Regalia Policy that will review, standardize, and adopt the 
academic regalia for graduates, administrators, faculty, and awardees of SUCs. The 
Policy will also propose ways to incorporate neo-ethnic textiles on the academic 
regalia. The Council would be co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Committee on 
Higher Education and the Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI).
The proposed measure aims to promote the use of neo-ethnic textiles that 
would greatly benefit the communities that expertly produce these masterpieces.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No2286
Senate
il)C
23 JUN 26 P4-19
received St.
Introduced by Senator 3inggoy Ejercito Estrada
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 assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 'Philippine Academic
2 
Regalia Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism
4 
and nationalism among the people especially the youth whose academic preparation
5 
for adulthood and responsible citizenship include values formation on love of country
6 
and pride in the uniqueness of their cultural heritage. In this regard, opportunities
7 
for displaying these values shall be encouraged by the school system not only as
8 
part of values development, but to preserve Philippine culture and certain local
9 
traditions, and create avenues, such as the wearing of an academic regalia that is
10 
not only truly Filipino but likewise distinguishes graduates of Philippine universities
11 
and colleges while giving back to the communities in the countryside through job
12 
creation and production of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles, that allow for the
13 
promotion of culture-based industries.
14 
Pursuant thereto, the use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles in the academic
15 
regalia of all state universities and colleges (SUCs) is therefore prescribed.
16 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:


1 
a) Academic regalia - refers to the official garb worn by university officials,
2 
faculty, graduates, and awardees during graduation, commencement
3 
exercises, and other academic functions; and
4 
b) Neo-ethnic Philippine textiles - refer to textiles made of or containing
5 
natural or indigenous materials, sourced and produced in the Philippines
6 
using updated, relevant and green scientific and technological approaches
7 
and innovations, while integrating and retaining traditional patterns,
8 
designs, icons, motifs, and approaches, and thus contributing to livelihood
9 
generation and sustaining the local handloom weaving and textile
10 
heritage.
11 
Sec. 4. Creation of the Philippine Academic Regalia Council. - There is hereby
12 
created a Philippine Regalia Council, hereinafter referred to as the "Council," which
13 
shall be chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher
14 
Education (CHED) and the Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the
15 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI), respectively. The Council shall
16 
have the following members:
17 
a) Representative from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
18 
(NCCA);
19 
b) Representative from the Philippine Association of State Universities and
20 
Colleges (PASUC);
21 
c) Representative from the University of the Philippines System (U.P.); and
22 
d) Representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
23 
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the
24 
following specific powers and functions:
25 
a) Formulate the National Academic Regalia Policy;
26 
b) Review, standardize, and adopt the academic regalia for graduates,
27 
administrators, faculty, and awardees of SUCs;
28 
c) Ensure sustainability, quality control, availability and accessibility of
29 
tropical fabrics, yarns, dyes, and loom parts;
30 
d) Recommend relevant technological approaches and innovations that will
31 
further enhance the production processes;
32 
e) Propose ways to incorporate neo-ethnic textiles on the academic regalia;


1 
f) Promote understanding, appreciation and respect for the cultural heritage
2 
and traditions embodied in the neo-ethnic textiles;
3 
g) Prepare and publish a handbook containing information on the academic
4 
regalia and its proper use, protection, trade, and management; and
5 
h) Protect the intellectual property rights as regards design silhouettes,
6 
textile pattern, color and textile specification for the academic regalia.
7 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
8 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in consultation with the DOST-PTRI, NCCA,
9 
UP, PASUC, and DTI, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
10 
implementation of this Act.
11 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
12 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
13 
Act.
14 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
15 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
16 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
17 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
18 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
19 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
20 
modified, or amended accordingly.
21 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
22 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,