Tomboc, Julie Ann L.

Venus, Kenneth Ashley B.

Vidal, Jona Mae O.
Vinluan, Elyssa Mharie S.

Language Programs and Policies in the Philippines

A. Introduction
The Philippines is an archipelago which is composed of three major islands with a population of
approximately 100 million people and with a wide variety of language landscape including the
eight major languages namely: Bikolano, Cebuano, Iloko, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan,
Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray.
B. Historical Background:
COLONIST POLICIES CAUSES AND EFFECTS:
Spanish Period (1565-1898)
 Vernaculars remained in use
 Organized primary education system was not implemented
 Focused of integrating Christianity to Filipinos using the Spanish language
 Almost have of the population of Filipino adults could speak using the language
(Gonzales, 1980)

American Regime (1899-1902)

 The medium of instruction in public schools and in civil services was changed to the
English language
 Opportunities in education were opened to Filipino children
 4.2 million out of 16 million people during this period learned and were able to use the
English language (Gonzales, 1980).
 Learning the language enabled people to have economic advantages and career
opportunities.

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

 The medium of instruction was still in English

 Japanese subjects were integrated in the educational system
 Despite the diffusion of Nihongo, majority of Filipinos were not able to learn the
language
C. Language Policies in the Philippines
Commonwealth Act 184 (1935)
- it is also known as the Romualdez Law that established the National Language Institute. It
aims to study the different native dialects of the Philippines to develop and adopt a common
national language from any of them.
Executive Order No. 134 (1937)
- proclamation of the national language of the Philippines based on the Tagalog language. It
mandates that “Filipino” is the national language of the country and until otherwise
provided by law, English.
 Executive Order No. 335 (1988)
- mandated the use of Filipino language in government transactions, communications, and
correspondence

Executive Order No. 132 (1999)

- established the National Language Police and provided for its implementation. It aims to
promote and develop the use of Filipino as the national language and English as the medium
of instruction in higher education, and science and technology.

Republic Act No. 7104 (1991)

- established the Commission on the Filipino Language that aims to promote the
development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and other Philippine languages.

DECS Order No. 25 s. 1974

- implemented the guidelines for the policy on bilingual education which served as the basis
for the institutionalization of bilingual education policy in basic education.

Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)

- aims to achieve the competence in both Filipino and English at the national level, through
the teaching of both languages and their use as media of instruction at all levels.
D. Language Programs in the Philippines
In the Philippines, there are several languages spoken due to the country's diverse linguistic
landscape. The official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English. Here are some
examples of language programs in the Philippines:

1. Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)

- Through the provision of DepEd Order No. 74 s. 2009 which mandated the use of the
learners’ mother tongue in improving learning outcomes from kindergarten to grade three, the
Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines implemented the MTB-MLE program to
use the learner's first language or mother tongue as the medium of instruction in the early years
of basic education. This approach aims to improve learning outcomes by making the learning
process more accessible and culturally relevant.

2. Filipino and English Language Programs

- As the official languages of instruction, Filipino and English are taught in schools across all
levels. There are specific programs that focus on enhancing proficiency in these languages,
including grammar, literature, and composition.

3. Regional Language Programs

- In addition to Filipino and English, various regions in the Philippines have their own regional
languages or dialects. Some language programs focus on preserving and promoting these
regional languages, recognizing their cultural and historical significance.

4. Language Immersion Programs

- Language immersion programs are designed to provide students with an immersive
experience in a particular language. This could involve spending time in a community where
the language is spoken, engaging in cultural activities, and using the language in real-life
situations.

5. Language and Literature Courses in Higher Education

- Many universities in the Philippines offer language and literature courses that delve into the
study of Filipino and other languages. These programs may cover linguistics, literature, and
cultural aspects related to language.

6. TESDA Language Programs

- The establishment Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the
Philippines was possible through the enactment of Republic Act No. 7796 otherwise known as
the “Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994”. It offers language programs as
part of its skills training courses. These programs focus on developing language skills for
specific purposes, such as in the context of business, tourism, or customer service.

7. Language Enhancement Programs for Professionals

- Some organizations and language institutes offer language enhancement programs for
professionals who want to improve their communication skills in Filipino or English, especially
in a business or workplace setting.

8. K-12 Program
- In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III signed the Republic Act 10533 otherwise known as the
Enhance Basic Education Act, which put in place the K-12 system in the Philippines basic
education.

These language programs play a crucial role in shaping the linguistic landscape of the
Philippines, ensuring that individuals have the necessary language skills for education, work,
and daily life.