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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
EXPLANATORY MOTE
Article XIV, Sec. 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that: “The State shall
recognize, respect and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions. It shall consider these
rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.”
It is therefor, explicit that the State is mandated to establish, maintain, and
ensure adequate social services in the field of education, health, housing, employment,
welfare and social security to guarantee the enjoyment by the Filipino people,
irrespective of color or creed, of a decent standard of living.
The national tribal communities continue to live in the same manner they used to
be in the past. We find the various regions of the country with little visible substantial
changes in their standards of living. The benefits of improved health care and housing
seem to be negligible in the minority areas and no appreciable improvement can be
seen especially with the unstable peace and order prevailing in Muslim Mindanao ad the
Cordilleras.
This bill seeks to establish Pilot Tribal Communities and/or Housing Projects in
each and every region in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, which shall serve as
model human settlements that will adhere or conform to their cultures and traditions. At
the same time, it shall provide the basic convenience of modern living such as health,
education, livelihood and recreational facilities .
Under this proposed measure, it is believed that with the introduction or
establishment of these human settlements the tribal minorities, both Christian and
Muslims, will no longer feel that they neglected and the resultant benefits would be
better understanding and harmony among all Filipinos of diverse religious beliefs.
In view of the foregoing considerations, early approval of this bill is earnestly
requested.
Senator