National language

In December 1937, Quezon issued a proclamation approving the institute’s recommendation and
declaring that the national language would become effective in two years. With presidential approval,
the INL began work on a Tagalog grammar text and dictionary.

SECOND TERM (1941-1944)

Pre-war activity

As crises mounted in the Pacific, the Philippines prepared for war. Youth military training under General
Douglas MacArthur was intensified. The first blackout practice was held on the night of 10 July 1941 in
Manila. First aid was taught in all schools and social clubs. Quezon established the Civilian Emergency
Administration (CEA) on 1 April 1941, with branches in provinces and towns. Air-raid drills were also
held.

Jewish Refugees

In cooperation with U.S. High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, Quezon facilitated the entry into the
Philippines of Jewish refugees fleeing fascist regimes in Europe and took on critics who were convinced
by propaganda that Jewish settlement was a threat to the country. Quezon and McNutt proposed 30,000
refugee families on Mindanao and 30,000-40,000 refugees on Polillo. Quezon made a 10-year loan to
Manila’s Jewish Refugee Committee of land adjacent to his family home in Marikina to house homeless
refugees in Marikina Hall (the present-day Philippine School of Business Administration), which was
dedicated on 23 April 1940