MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has filed a bill urging Congress to institutionalize the use of Baybayin, or ancient transcripts of indigenous peoples in the country, in the official logos of all government agencies to promote Filipino culture and traditions.
Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said the use of Baybayin in the logos and seals of government agencies and offices under House Bill 4882 would not only reflect the emblems of their functions and duties but also pride in Filipino heritage and tradition.
He said it is the policy of the state to give priority to culture to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development.
"It is also to recognize that the culture is a unifying, humanizing and modernizing agent of any society as well as to promote the National Language of the country while enhancing the linguistic diversity of the Philippines," Bataoil said.
"The use of Baybayin in government logos is important to emphasize the continuing tradition of script writing among a few remaining indigenous communities as scripts are connected to language and culture," he said.
Bataoil said some government offices and agencies have already incorporated Baybayin in their official logos.
These include The National Museum, the Komisyon Sa Wikang Filipino, the National Library, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Record Management and Archive Office, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as well as the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The proposed law also tasks the National Museum to become the repository of information on Baybayin and to make available a catalog of scripts from which state agencies or offices and departments may refer to for the creation of their appropriate logos.
The measure, moreover, requires the Office of the President to ensure the compliance with the Act and shall receive the revised logos of agencies, departments and offices.
For more proposed measures in the House of Representatives, visit our Bill Tracker.