Moro culture to become a subject in college

MANILA, Philippines - A bill mandating the teaching of Moro history, culture and identity studies as an elective in college is up for signing into law.

The House of Representatives adopted on May 25 the Senate version of the proposed Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies Act, which mandates the Commission on Higher Education to include the subject in the curriculum. 

The measure has been forwarded to Office of the President.

The House approved its version on third and final reading on Oct. 29 while the Senate passed its proposed Integrated History Act of 2016 earlier this year.

The measure stressed the need to integrate Filipino-Muslim and indigenous peoples history, culture and identity in the study of Philippine history.

Under the bill, concerned agencies shall consult experts in the formulation of the curriculum, including the writing, printing and publication of textbooks and other reading materials.

The Senate committees on education, arts and culture and finance prepared the Senate bill authored by Sens. Juan Edgardo Angara, Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano.

Deputy Speaker Pangalian Balindong, Reps. Roman Romulo, Evelina Escudero, Mariano Piamonte Jr., Eulogio Magsaysay, Monique Yazmin Lagdameo, Karlo Alexei Nograles, Anthony del Rosario and Rufus Rodriguez authored the House version of the bill.