Senator Sonny Angara has called for the full implementation of the Integrated History Law that mandates the teaching of Filipino-Muslim and indigenous peoples’ (IPs) history in both basic and higher education in the country.
“As both houses of Congress are working on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), we should endeavor to have a better understanding of the history of our Muslim brothers and sisters. This would make the people appreciate more the need for an enhanced autonomy in the Bangsamoro region,” said Angara, chairman of the local government committee.
Under Republic Act 10908, which Angara authored, the history, culture and identity studies of Filipino-Muslims and IPs should be integrated in the formulation of the curriculum for the study of Philippine history, including the writing, printing and publication of textbooks and other reading materials.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the law is currently being implemented only in select schools, mostly in Mindanao.
Angara urged the DepEd to fast-track the implementation of the Integrated History Law, which was enacted in 2016, in all schools nationwide in order to create “a truly inclusive history that accounts for all Filipinos.”
Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chairman of the BBL sub-committee that was created under the local government committee, said the target date for the sponsorship of the Senate version of the BBL is on February 28.
BBL is a product of nearly two decades of peace negotiations, and education is crucial to the peace process.
“BBL is a product of nearly two decades of peace negotiations, and education is crucial to the peace process. Ang kamulatan sa kasaysayan at kultura ang magsisilbing pundasyon upang tuluyan nating makamit ang tunay na pagkakaisa, respeto, kapayapaan at pag-unlad,” said Angara, who is also set to co-sponsor the measure.