SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Of
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHJUPPINES
Second Regular Session
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'14 OCT 28 P6:23
SENATE
S.B. NO.
2440
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA
AN ACT
DECLARING "BAYBAYIN" AS THE NATIONAL WRITING SYSTEM OF THE
PHILIPPINES,
PROVIDING
FOR
ITS
PROMOTION,
PROTECTION,
PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The "Baybayin" is an ancient Philippine system of writing composed of a set of
17 cursive characters or letters which represents either a single consonant or vowel or a
complete syllable. It started to spread throughout the country in the 16th century.
However, today, there is a shortage of proof of the existence of "baybayin" scripts due
to the fact that prior to the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines, Filipino scribers
would engrave mainly on bamboo poles or tree barks and frail materials that decay
qUickly.
To recognize our traditional writing systems which are objects of national
importance and considered as a National Cultural Treasure, the "Baybayin", an
indigenous national writing script which will be Tagalog-based national written
language and one of the existing native written languages, is hereby declared
collectively as the "Baybayin" National Writing Script of the country. Hence, it should
be promoted, protected, preserved and conserved for posterity for the next generation.
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare "baybayin" as the National Writing Script of
the Philippines. It shall mandate the NCCA to promote, protect, preserve and conserve
the script through the following (a) by requiring food manufacturers to inscribe
"baybayin" scripts and their translation on containers or labels; (b) by mandating the
LGUs to use "baybayin" scripts in their signage for street names, public facilities,
among others; (c) by requiring newspaper and magazine publishers to include
"baybayin" translation of their official name; and (d) by directing the appropriate
government agency to disseminate knowledge and information about "Baybayin" script
by distributing reading materials in all levels of public and private educational
institutions and all government and private agencies and offices to instill awareness of
the declaration of "Baybayin" as the national writing system.