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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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MAY 17 P5 :58
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S.B. No.
~31
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA
AN ACT
SAFEGUARDING THE TRADITIONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Traditional Property
Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies - It is declared the policy of the
state to protect the traditional cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of the
Philippines; and safeguard the intrinsic values, whether tangible or intangible; and
to support traditional artists and artisans in their contributions to their respective
ethnic cultures and national heritage by ensuring that their rights are safeguarded.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
a. "Commission" shall refer to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA);
b. "Cultural agencies" shall refer to the following national government agencies with
their specific areas of responsibility: National Museum (cultural property); the
National Library (books); National Historical Institute (Philippine history);
National Archives (documents); Cultural Center of the Philippines (culture and
the arts); and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (language).
c. "Cultural heritage" shall refer to the totality of cultural property preserved and
developed through time and passed on to posterity.
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