In the unveiling of two of the country’s oldest known written scripts as declared national cultural treasures (NCTs), separate moves are in to even more popularize the baybayin in incorporating these writing in official logos of government agencies , departments and offices.

It may be recalled that the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) unveiled a marker for two old Tagalog baybayin documents at the University of Santo Tomas, while declaring the two as NCTs. The declaration was reportedly NAP’s first.

Earlier, anthropologists and researchers have in the ancient and traditional scripts agree on the need to conduct extensive and intensive research on the baybayin, as a medium used by our ancestors in giving meaning to objects and things and events.

Baybayin has been widely referred to as that Tagalog word for script, writing or syllabary.

The country has several baybayins including those found in the Palaw’an, Tagbanua, Hanunuo Mangyan and Buhid Mangyan, according to sources.

But owing to the unpopularity of the baybayins, legislators are now finding measures that aim to promote and preserve the baybayins.

Among the moves is a Senate Bill No. 1899 which mandates all government agencies, departments and offices to incorporate Baybayins in their official logos.

The move shows the governments taking the lead role in promoting Filipino Culture and traditions, strengthen Filipino identity and instill the same in everyday life.

The logos and seals of government agencies and offices should not only reflect the emblems of their functions and duties but also pride in Filipino Heritage and traditions, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Loren Legarda.

On this, some government offices and agencies have already incorporated the baybayin in their official logos.

Another bill, Senate Bill 2440 aims to declare the baybayin as the national writing script of the Philippines and mandates the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to lead the promotion protection preservation and conservation of the baybayin.

The measure accordingly mandates local food manufacturers to inscribe baybayin and their translations in containers or labels, for local governments to use baybayins in their street name signages, public facilities and newspapers and magazines to include a baybayin translation of their official name, according to the NCCA. (rac/PIA-7Bohol)