SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid filed a measure that seeks to protect and preserve the Philippines’ indigenous and traditional writing systems.

Senate Bill 1680 or the proposed Philippine Indigenous and Traditional Writing Systems Act aims to inculcate patriotism and social consciousness among the citizenry.

“Panahon na upang balikan natin ang ating nakaraan sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral muli ng isa sa mga mahahalagang piraso ng ating kultura—ang ating mga katutubo at tradisyunal na sistema ng pagsulat gaya ng Baybayin,” Lapid said.

“Minsan nang nawala, ngunit hindi nakalimutan, ang Baybayin, kasama ang iba pang katutubo at tradisyunal na mga paraan ng pagsulat, ay dapat pangalagaan at isulong bilang bahagi ng muling pagbangon ng bansa. Isang rin ito sa paraan upang maprotektahan ang mga pamana ng ating mga ninuno at ang pagkakakilanlan ng kulturang Pilipino,” he added.

The measure mandates the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to include indigenous and traditional writing systems, such as Baybayin, in relevant subjects of basic and higher education curricula and to develop an elective or specialized course for higher education.

The bill seeks to create or support activities that promote awareness of these writing systems, particularly during Buwan ng Wika and similar occasions and events.

It also calls for the conduct of seminars, conferences, conventions, symposia and other relevant activities on Philippine writing systems, as well as proper record-keeping of relevant documents and preservation of oral evidence on these writing systems.

“Sa huli, itong ating iminungkahing panukalang batas ay naglalayong pangalagaan ang kasaysayan at pagkakakilanlan ng kulturang Pilipino habang pinapaunlad ang pambansang pagmamalaki sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga sistema ng pagsulat ng Pilipinas bilang mga kasangkapan para sa pagpapaunlad ng ating kultura,” Lapid said.