Sponsorship Speech of Senator Loren Legarda | Institutionalizing the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT)(An Act Institutionalizing the Schools Of Living Traditions (SLT), Amending Republic Act No. 10066, or the “National Cultural Heritage Act Of 2009,” As Amended and Appropriating Funds Therefor) | November 12, 2025

 Mr. President, distinguished colleagues,
 
Our nation’s soul is intricately woven through songs, stories, designs and crafts. Across our archipelago, you can hear the rhythmic melodies of the Hudhud chants of the Ifugao, the enchanting kulintang of the Maguindanao, and witness the delicate craftsmanship of piña weaving in Aklan. Each rhythm, each pattern, carries the living memory of our ancestors—an enduring expression of our identity, our resilience, and our collective spirit.
 
Today, I have the honor of sponsoring a measure that seeks to ensure these vibrant traditions do not merely survive but thrive and evolve—An Act Institutionalizing the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT), Amending Republic Act No. 10066, or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” as Amended and Appropriating Funds Therefor. In 2021, the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) was inscribed in the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, recognizing its community-driven approach to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
 
The Philippines is home to 222 Indigenous Cultural Communities, comprising 124 major groups and 98 subgroups, representing more than 14 million Indigenous Peoples across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Their rituals, chanting, and craftsmanship are not merely cultural practices and creative expressions. They are living repositories of wisdom, values, and identity—heritage systems passed from one generation to the next, sustaining our collective sense of nationhood.
 
Many of these traditions have already gained global acclaim. The Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao and the Darangen Epic of the Meranaw have been inscribed by UNESCO into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On December 06, 2023, Aklan’s Piña Handloom Weaving was also inscribed in the same prestigious list. These honors affirm that our cultural treasures are alive—nurtured by the hands, hearts, and minds of our communities.
 
Yet, Mr. President, despite these remarkable achievements, the continuity of many living traditions remains fragile. Rapid modernization, the decline of intergenerational learning, limited institutional support for community-based education, and the absence of a permanent structure threaten their survival.
 
Since the 1990s, I have steadfastly supported the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its pioneering work through the Schools of Living Traditions. However, these initiatives have primarily operated through grants, without a stable, long-term budgetary framework. This bill seeks to fill that critical gap.
 
By institutionalizing the SLTs under the NCCA and establishing a dedicated Center for each, we will create a sustainable platform for research, training, and coordination. This will empower cultural communities to remain the foremost custodians of their heritage—ensuring that their traditions are safeguarded, adapted, and transmitted with integrity and pride.
 
Moreover, this measure recognizes that our living traditions are not only cultural treasures but also sources of livelihood and innovation. Through the SLTs, traditional crafts and practices can be integrated into the creative economy and tourism industries, linking heritage to inclusive growth. In this way, our ancestral wisdom becomes a foundation for sustainable development—where cultural authenticity drives creativity and prosperity.
 
Mr. President, I earnestly urge for the swift passage of this bill. Let us ensure that progress and tradition walk hand in hand, guiding our nation toward a future that is not only modern and dynamic but also deeply rooted in the strength of our cultural identity.
 
May the flame of our living traditions continue to illuminate our nation’s journey—reminding us that our heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living legacy that shapes our tomorrow.
 
Thank you, Mr. President.