Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2949

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The continuing rift between Muslims and Christians,
which has long divided our nation, has remained unsolved
through the centuries. This has become all the more
pronounced by the ongoing conflict between the central
government and Muslims.

In the hope of helping address this problem with our
Muslim brothers, we have come up with this bill, which aims to
bridge the very obvious gap between our two cultures.

I believe that a more effective and lasting assimilation of
our Muslim brothers would be achieved by understanding and
accepting each other. Majority of Muslims in Luzon are not
exposed to Christian culture, while in the same manner, many
of us in the Christian communities in Luzon are not exposed,
much less appreciative of the Muslim character as expressed in
their songs and dances, history and culture and historical traits.

This envisioned project aims to generate a better
awareness and appreciation of the Muslim character. It would
also showcase, along with Muslim songs and dances, their
traditional food and delicacies.


This center would be ideal in the capital city of Manila,
which was once upon a time a thriving Muslim community
ruled by Rajah Sulayman, who is considered as the first mayor
of the city and whom the Spanish encountered when they
arrived in Manila; and whose monument stands proud fronting
the historic Manila Bay. It is also because Manila, as capital city,
hosts the greatest number of Muslim residents in the
metropolis.

This permanent trade and cultural center in Manila will
be open to all tribes and would be a great opportunity not only
for locals but also balikbayans and foreign visitors to better
appreciate Muslim culture - helping forge a more permanent
relationship between Muslims and Christians in our commgn
quest for peace and understanding in the country.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16') CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2949

House Bill No.

EEE

Introduced by: Jose L. Atienza, Jr.
ee
AN ACT
CREATING A MUSLIM TRADE AND CULTURAL CENTER OF THE
PHILIPPINES, IN THE CITY OF MANILA, AS THE CAPITAL OF THE
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in the Congress assembled:

SECTION ONE. This Act shall be known as the “MUSLIM TRADE
AND CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT OF 2013”.

SEC. 2. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote and
advance the culture of every part of the Philippines. The State
recognizes the people's need for cultural understanding and tolerance,
and for knowledge of local customs and products.

SEC 3. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, as well
as the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, are hereby mandated

to be the lead agencies in the implementation of this Act, to formulate a



guideline of requirements and to structure a timetable for the creating
of the Muslim Trade and Cultural Center of the Philippines.

SEC 4. In line with this, both National Commissions shall closely
coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the funding
requirements and other pertinent matters needed in the
implementation of this Act.

SEC 5. The DPWH shall closely coordinate with the Local
Government of Manila with regards to the location of the land where the
Muslim Trade and Cultural Center of the Philippines is proposed to be
established.

SEC 6. The land must be owned by the government.

SEC 7. The appropriation for the implementation of this Act shall
be sourced from the unobligated budget allocations of the two National
Commissions, DPWH, DBM and the President's Social Fund under the
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as necessary for
the continued implementation shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after completion
of its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.