FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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MAY 17 P5:58
SEN 1\.,.T ~
S.B. No. ~8\S1
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Our indigenous peoples have suffered historical injustices in the form of
discrimination, deprivation of their ancestral domains and lands, among many other
human rights violations. To put salt in their many wounds, there have been reported
incidences wherein their indigenous knowledge, dances, designs are being stolen by
local and foreign entities, further marginalizing our indigenous communities and
depriving them of their cultural property, their identity which has been passed on
from their ancestors.
The law protecting indigenous peoples' rights, namely the Indigenous Peoples
Rights' Act (RA 8371) does not provide for specific provisions for the protection of
their cultural properties, both intangible and tangible. Furthermore, the Intellectual
Property Office of the Philippines does not have the legal mandate nor the expertise
or capability to undertake such protection of our indigenous cultural treasures. It is
with the passage of this bill that this void is sought to be filled.
With the help of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National
Museum, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and local government units,
this bill shall create a comprehensive cultural archive which shall organize and make
an inventory of all cultural properties of the different ethno-linguistic groups of the
Philippines. This inventory of cultural properties shall then be submitted to the
Commission thru the National Museum who shall ensure the registration of
ownership to the proper ethno-linguistic group for protection of their intellectual
property. This bill also mandates the payment of royalties for the use of the cultural
property of indigenous groups.
In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
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Senator