Setyembre 18, 2007 Her Excellency President GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO Office of the President Malacaang, Manila Dear

Madame President: We, the Commissioners of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), express our full support of Her Excellencys Executive Order No. 210 (EO No. 210), series of 2003, entitled Establishing the Policy to Strengthen the Use of the English Language as a Medium of Instruction in the Educational System. Antecedent Facts On 17 May 2003, the President issued EO No. 210 in recognition of the need 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.1 Toward this end, the President declared through EO No. 210:
xxx a. English shall be taught as a second language, starting with the First Grade. As provided for in the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum, English shall be used as the medium of instruction 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 vocational or technical educational institutions. As the primary medium of instruction, the percentage of time allotment for learning areas conducted in the English

b.

c.

Third Whereas Clause, EO No. 210.

2 language is expected to be not less than seventy percent (70%) of the total time allotment for all learning areas in the secondary level. It is the objective of the foregoing policies to develop the aptitude, competence and proficiency of all students in the use of the English language to make them better prepared for the job opportunities emerging in the new, technology-driven sectors of the economy. xxx2 (Emphasis and italics supplied)

On 22 August 2006, Secretary Jesli A. Lapus issued Department of Education Order No. 36 (DepEd Order No. 36) to implement the provisions of EO No. 210. Attack on EO No. 210 and DepEd Order No. 36 Sometime in May 2007, a number of Filipino writers, educators, artists and parents challenged the constitutionality of EO No. 210 and DepEd Order No. 36 before the Supreme Court.3 They claim that the executive issuances run counter to the following provisions of the Constitution:
Sec. 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. Sec. 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.
2 3

Section 1, EO No. 210. They are Isagani R. Cruz (representing Wika ng Kultura and Agham, Inc.), Beverly Siy (representing Linangan sa Retorika at Arte, Inc.), Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr. (representing Filipinas Institute of Translation, Inc.), Aurora E. Batnag (representing Samahan ng mga Tagasalin, Inc.), Efren R. Abueg, Virgilio S. Almario, Roberto T. Aonuevo (representing his minor children Amansinaya and Idyanale), Abdon Balde, Jr., Michael M. Coroza (representing his minor children Miko Idyanale, Jeanne Haraya, and Miguel Bulawan), Randolf David, Ma. Theresa de Villa, Fanny A. Garcia, Juan T. Gatbonton, Bienvenido Lumbera, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo D. Nadera, Jr. (representing his minor children Dinah Psalma Sigla, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo II, and Dinah Palmera Sulat), Vina P. Paz, Jovy M. Peregrino, Nicanor G.Tiongson, Rosario Torres-Yu, and Galileo S. Zafra.

Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis. (Emphasis and italics supplied)4

In addition, they allege that the use of English will cause the deterioration of our educational system and place the poor students at a disadvantage position. It will also hamper the students ability to learn English, as well as alienate them from their cultural heritage. KWF Position The above notwithstanding, we adhere to the soundness of EO No. 210. Legal Aspect. While the Constitution declares Filipino as the national language of the Philippines, it also provides that (f)or purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.5 This must be so, according to the framers of the Constitution, since English is considered the second language in the Philippines.6 In fact, even the proponent7 of Section 6, 2nd paragraph, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution which mandates the Government to take necessary steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system clarified that such provision would not preclude the use of English as a medium of communication and as language of instruction.8 EO No. 210 is in harmony with the Constitution because it simply strengthens the use of the English language as a medium of instruction,9 and not necessarily prohibits the use of the Filipino language. To be sure, making the English language as the primary medium of instruction does not necessarily mean abrogating Filipino as our national language or official language for communication and instruction. Neither does it prohibit the use of the Filipino language or the regional languages from time to time in reinforcing the understanding of lectures and discussions conducted in English. Policy Aspect. In decreeing that English shall be taught as a second language starting with the First Grade and that English shall be used as the medium of instruction for English, Mathematics and Science from at least the Third Grade level, EO No. 210 in effect recognizes the vital role of the childs first language in the learning process.
4 5 6 7 8 9

Article XIV, 1987 Constitution. Section 7, Ibid. IV Record of the Constitutional Commission: Proceedings and Debates, at page 500. Mr. Wilfrido V. Villacorta. Supra, at pages 495-497. This is in essence the view expressed by Solicitor General Agnes VST Devanadera in her letter dated 12 April 2007addressed to Mr. Isagani R. Cruz.

Filipino and English are not the first languages of most Filipinos, especially those in the outlying areas of the country. Thus, while we want the students to be competent in both Filipino and English, we cannot do so without admitting that children learn best, first in their own first language (childs language), whether it be Ilocano, Bicol, Hiligaynon, Ivatan, English or Filipino. In 2000, the Philippine Committee on Education Reform observed that a child acquires a second language faster and better if the first language is mastered. It then suggested the use of vernacular or the childs first language as a bridge to more effective learning in Filipino and English, as well as to facilitate cognitive maturity. This is also the view of UNESCO when it reported that the process of beginning education in the community language of the learner enhances educational opportunities and literacy for lifelong learning which will be effectively achieved only when planned and implemented in the local contexts of the language and culture. EO No. 210 therefore protects the child by allowing him first to perfect his native dialect before introducing English as the primary medium of instruction. Epilogue The local languages, Filipino and English should be viewed as complementary to one another. In fact, through Republic Act No. 7104, 10 the KWF is mandated to ensure and promote the evolution, development and further enrichment of Filipino as the national language of the Philippines, on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.11 The phrase other languages includes English as it refers to foreign languages, whether official or not, as long as they have influenced the indigenous languages and cultures to a certain degree.12

Based on the foregoing, the KWF hereby expresses its full support to the Presidents EO No. 210. Thank you.

Very truly yours,

10 11 12

Also known as the Commission on the Filipino Language Act. Section 1, RA No. 7104. Section 3, Ibid.

RICARDO MA. DURAN NOLASCO Acting Chairperson

CARMELITA C. ABDURAHMAN, Acting Full-Time Commissioner

JOSE L. SANTOS Acting Full-Time Commissioner

ROMEO G. DIZON Acting Part-time Commissioner FE A. HIDALGO Acting Part-time Commissioner

CONCEPCION H. LUIS Acting Part-time Commissioner

ISABEL P. MARTIN Acting Part-time Commissioner

ISMAEL M. TOMAWIS Acting Part-time Commissioner

ANTONIO L. TAMAYO Acting Part-time Commissioner

cc : DepEd Secretary