The House of Representatives  has unanimously approved on third and final reading a proposed law that would include Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies as an elective subject in the higher education curriculum.

Besides the primary author—Deputy Speaker Pangalian Balindog of Lanao del Sur—the bill was also co-authored by National Unity Party (NUP) lawmaker Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City and NUP partylist ally Mariano Piamonte (A-TEACHER).

The other co-authors were Representatives Roman Romulo (Pasig City), Evelina Escudero (Sorsogon), Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro City), Eulogio Magsaysay (AVE partylist), Monique Lagdameo (Makati City) and Anthony del Rosario (Davao del Norte).

House Bill 4832, to be known as the Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies Act

mandates all tertiary educational institutions to offer Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies as an elective subject for college students.

As an elective, the course should  highlight the positive relations among the tri-peoples, especially between Muslims and Christians, including shared origins and other points of commonality even before the arrival of Islam and Christianity, the bill states.

Under the measure, the government shall consult recognized experts on Moro studies as well as recognized resource persons on the Mindanao peace process and Muslim-Christian dialogue in the formulation and creation of the Moro History, Culture and Identity course.

The proposed elective course will include the understanding of the "Mindanao problem" and the "Moro problem" as well as the roots of the conflict and its impact on the rest of the country, with appropriate attention to the history of the Muslims and the appreciation of the various cultures and ethnic identities, HB 4832 states.