HB10469: AN ACT PROMOTING PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL WRITING SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION
House Bill No. 10469, titled the "Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act," aims to promote, protect, preserve, and conserve Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems, such as Baybayin. The bill emphasizes that these writing systems are crucial for fostering a strong national identity, promoting patriotism, and instilling national pride, especially in light of the perceived loss of traditional values due to colonial experiences, capitalism, and technological advancements. By recognizing these scripts as cultural treasures, the bill seeks to reconnect Filipinos with their pre-colonial heritage and reinforce their cultural identity.
The bill mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to integrate these writing systems into relevant curricula and create specialized courses. It also calls for activities, seminars, and good record-keeping to raise awareness and appreciation. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) is designated as the lead policymaking unit responsible for protecting and preserving these systems as National Cultural Treasures. The overall impact on the people is to strengthen cultural roots, enhance national consciousness, and ensure that a significant part of the nation's heritage is not forgotten but celebrated and passed on to future generations.