Enact law integrating Muslim, IP history in curriculum—Angara

Senator Sonny Angara. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has called for the signing into law a bill that mandates the integration of Filipino-Muslim and indigenous peoples’ history, culture and identity in the study of Philippine history in both basic and higher education.

Angara said the proposed Integrated History Act was recently passed by both houses of Congress and is now awaiting President Benigno Aquino III’s signature. The senator is the principal author of the bill.

“There is a need to integrate the history, culture and identity studies of Filipino-Muslims and indigenous people in the grand narrative of Philippine history if we want to create an inclusive history that accounts for all Filipinos,” Angara said in a statement on Thursday.

Under the bill, he said, concerned agencies of the government are mandated to consult recognized experts on Filipino-Muslim and indigenous peoples’ history, culture and identity in the formulation of the curriculum “for an inclusive and integrative study of Philippine history, including the writing, printing and publication of textbooks and other reading materials.”

Angara stressed that one way of effectively instilling further understanding of Filipino-Muslim and indigenous peoples’ history, culture and identity in the minds of the youth is by including such subjects in the education system.

“As the country elected its first President from Mindanao, it is high time that we aim for a more inclusive study of our history to foster a culture of peace in the country,” the senator added, referring to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who will assume office on June 30. RAM/rga

RELATED STORIES

Education and the ‘Muslim problem’

House passes bill mandating teaching of Moro culture in college