Chapter 2: Language Policies in the Philippines

Language Policies in
Education
Alba, Althea Angela V.
Presentor
Language Policies in the Philippines
1. Article XIV, Sec. 6 and 7 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines
2. Executive Order No. 335, s. 1998
3. DECS Order 81
4. The Philippine Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)
5. The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher Education
6. K-12 program and the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
7. Executive Order 210 s.2003
Article XIV, Sec. 6 and 7 of the 1987 Constitution of
the Republic of the Philippines
The provisions are as follows:
Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it
shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine
and other languages. Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may
deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain
the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language
of instruction in the educational system.
Article XIV, Sec. 6 and 7 of the 1987 Constitution of
the Republic of the Philippines
The provisions are as follows:
Section 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the official
languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by
law, English. The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in
the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein.”
Executive Order No. 335, s. 1998
● Signed by then President Corazon Aquino on August 25,
1988.
● It enjoined all departments/bureaus/offices/agencies/
instrumentalities/of the government to take such steps as
are necessary for the purpose of using the Filipino language
in official transactions, communications, and
correspondence.
Executive Order No. 335, s. 1998
All departments/bureaus/offices/agencies/instrumentalities of the government are
enjoined to do the following:

● Take steps to enhance the use of Filipino

● Assign one or more personnel
● Translate
● Filipinize the “Oath of Office”
● Make as part of the training programs for personnel development in each office the
proficiency in the use of Filipino in official communications and correspondence.
Department of Education, Culture and Sports
(DECS) Order 81

In 1987, the DECS released the “Alphabet and a Guide for Spelling in the
Filipino Language,” laying down the letters of Filipino alphabet and rules on
spelling. According to the order, the Filipino Alphabet is composed of 28 letters –
the original 26 letters of the English alphabet, plus letters Ñ and Ng. The order
also details how the letters should be read.
Department of Education, Culture and Sports
(DECS) Order 81
26 Letters (original) 28 Letters (modern)
 The Philippine Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)

1. The Policy on Bilingual Education aims at the achievement

of 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.
 The Philippine Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)

2. The goals of the Bilingual Education Policy shall be:

● Enhanced learning through two languages

● The propagation of Filipino as a language of literacy;
● The development of Filipino as a linguistic symbol of national unity and identity;
● The cultivation and elaboration of Filipino as a language of scholarly discourse
● The maintenance of English as an international language for the Philippines and as
a non-exclusive language of science and technology.
 The Philippine Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)

3. Filipino and English shall be used as media of instruction, the use allocated to
specific subjects in the curriculum as indicated in Department Order No. 25, s.
1974.
4. The regional languages shall be used as auxiliary media of instruction and as
initial language for literacy where needed.
5. Filipino and English shall be taught as language subjects in all levels to
achieve the goals of bilingual competence.
The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher
Education

This Act which is known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" provides that
the CHED shall be independent and separate from the DECS and attached to the
Office of the President for administrative purposes only. Its coverage shall be
both public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting
programs in all post-secondary educational institutions, public and private.
The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher
Education
● The State shall protect, foster and promote the right of all citizens to affordable
quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to ensure that
education shall be accessible to all.

● The State shall likewise ensure and protect academic freedom and shall
promote its exercise and observance for the continuing intellectual growth, the
advancement of learning and research, the development of responsible and
effective leadership, the education of high-level and middle-level professionals,
and the enrichment of our historical and cultural heritage.
The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher
Education
● The GEC requires Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to have at least 9 units
of Filipino language courses.
● In consonance with the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Bilingual
Education Policy, language courses, whether Filipino or English, should be
taught in that language.
● Courses in Humanities and Social Sciences should preferably be taught in
Filipino.
● Furthermore, at the discretion of HEIs, literature subjects may be taught in
Filipino, English, or in any other language
The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher
Education
● The CHED has been under fire by proponents of the Filipino language and
language education since CMO No. 20 s. 2013 was issued, which outlined a
new revised GEC set for 2018 that contained no Filipino language courses. 

● Filipino language education proponents

 accused CHED of failing to intellectualize Filipino and that the new GEC woul
d displace thousands of Filipino professors and instructors
. 
The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher
Education
● CHED defended its decision by stating that the planned new GEC will work in
conjunction with the K-12 program and that many remedial courses, like
Filipino and English, will be taught in senior high school years, thereby making
them redundant in college. 
K-12 program and the Mother Tongue-Based
Multilingual Education (MTB MLE)

MTB-MLE aims to develop Filipino and English proficiency by starting basic

education with the first language of learners. Starting in kindergarten up to Grade
3, the medium of instruction shall be in the mother tongue of the students.
Beginning in Grade 1, Filipino and English will be taught as subject areas.
K-12 program and the Mother Tongue-Based
Multilingual Education (MTB MLE)

Initially, there were 12 regional languages under the MTB MLE program:
Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Iloko, Bikol, Kapampangan, Maguindanaoan,
Meranao, Pangasinense, Bahasa Sug (Tausug), Chabacano and Waray.
 In July 2013, Ybanag, Ivatan, Sambal, Aklanon, Kinaray-a, Yakan, and Surigaonon
were added to the program.
Executive Order 210 s.2003
● First off, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came up with Executive Order
No. 210 on May 17, 2003.
● Also known as “ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO STRENGTHEN THE USE OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM”.
● This is implemented by Department of Education Order No. 36 dated August
22, 2006.
Executive Order 210 s.2003
● Former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to
strengthen and enhance the use of the English language as the medium of
instruction (MOI).
● Aims to develop the aptitude, competence and proficiency of our students in
the English language to maintain and improve their competitive edge in
emerging and fast-growing local and international industries, particularly in
the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT);
Executive Order 210 s.2003
● English shall be taught as second language, starting with the First Grade and
shall be used as the MOI for English, Mathematics, and Science from at least
the Third Grade level.
● The English language shall be used as the primary medium of instruction in
all public and private institutions of learning in the secondary level, including
those established as laboratory and/or experimental schools, and non-formal
and vocation or technical vocational institutions.  
REFERENCES
Tan, N. (August, 2014). Policies on the use of the Filipino language.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/65938-policies-filipino-language/
Thank you!