1987 Constitution, Article 14 Sections 6-9

1987 Constitution of the Philippines (Article 14 Sections 6-9)

• Section 6 establishes Filipino as the national language, encouraging its development using existing Philippine and other languages.
• It directs the government to promote and sustain Filipino as a medium for official communication and instruction, as Congress deems appropriate.
• Section 7 designates Filipino and English as the official languages for communication and instruction, unless otherwise specified by law.
• Regional languages are identified as auxiliary official languages within their respective regions, serving as auxiliary media of instruction.
• Spanish and Arabic are to be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis.
• Section 8 mandates that the Constitution be promulgated in both Filipino and English and translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.
• Section 9 requires Congress to create a national language commission to research, develop, propagate, and preserve Filipino and other languages.

Dept. Order No. 25, s. 1974

• The language provisions in the 1987 Constitution (Article XIV, Sections 6 and 7) provide the legal basis for current language policies.
• The 1987 Constitution resolved the ambiguity of the 1935 and 1973 Philippine Charters regarding the national language.
• Section 6 states the national language of the Philippines is Filipino, to be developed and enriched using existing Philippine and other languages.
• Section 7 designates Filipino and English as the official languages for communication and instruction, unless otherwise provided by law.

The Philippine Bilingual Education Policy (BEP)

• Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) issued its language policy in line with the 1987 Constitution and NBE Resolution No. 73-7, s.1973 regarding bilingualism.
• The policy was initially implemented through DECS Dept. Order No. 25, s. 1974, titled "Implementing Guidelines for the Policy on Bilingual Education."
• In the Philippines, bilingual education is the separate use of Filipino and English as media of instruction in specific subjects.
• Pilipino (changed to Filipino in 1987) is designated for social studies/sciences, music, arts, physical education, home economics, practical arts and character education.
• English is designated for science, mathematics, and technology subjects.
• The 1987 Policy on Bilingual Education reinforces the subject allocation and is disseminated through Department Order No. 52, s. 1987.

Department Order No. 52, s. 1987: The 1987 Policy on Bilingual Education

• DO 52, S. 1987, dated May 21, 1987, was addressed to Bureau Directors, Regional Directors, School Superintendents, Presidents of State Colleges/Universities, and Heads of private schools.
• Article XIV Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution specifies Filipino and English as the official languages for communication and instruction, unless otherwise provided by law.
• Regional languages are auxiliary official languages for auxiliary media of instruction in their respective regions.
• Department of Education and Culture's (NBE Resolution No. 73-7, s. 1973) declared policy of bilingualism in schools is reinforced here.
• The Bilingual Education Policy's goal is competence in both Filipino and English at the national level through their instruction and use as media.
• Regional languages serve as auxiliary languages in Grades I and II.
• Aims to enable Filipinos to perform their functions as citizens in both Filipino and English to meet national and global needs.
• The Bilingual Education Policy aims to enhance learning using two languages and achieve quality education in line with the 1987 Constitution.
• The policy also promotes Filipino as a language of literacy and as a linguistic symbol of national unity and identity.
• Cultivating and elaborating Filipino as a language of scholarly discourse in its continuing intellectualization is another one of the aims.
• The policy also involves maintaining English as an international language and a non-exclusive language for science and technology.
• Filipino and English are to be used as media of instruction, allocated to specific subjects as per Department Order No. 25, s. 1974.
• Regional languages are to be used as auxiliary media of instruction and as the initial language for literacy where needed.
• Filipino and English are taught as language subjects at all levels to achieve bilingual competence.
• Continuing improvement in teaching both languages, their use as media, and specification is the responsibility of the entire education system to improve competence.
• Tertiary institutions lead the intellectualization of Filipino, with efforts also pursued at elementary and secondary levels.
• DECS shall work with the National Language Commission, as tasked by the 1987 Constitution, for the continued development and enrichment of Filipino.
• DECS will provide resources for implementing the Policy, including materials, training, programs for non-Tagalogs, standardized Filipino for classrooms, and evaluative instruments.
• This Order supersedes any prior Orders on the Bilingual Education Policy that are inconsistent.

Republic Act No. 8190

• Republic Act No. 8190 prioritizes residents of the barangay, municipality, or city where the school is located for teacher appointments/assignments.
• Priority in hiring is conditional on the teacher meeting minimum qualifications for the position by law.
• Appointment/assignment protests must be filed within three months of the appointment or assignment issuance.
• The Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports will impose disciplinary sanctions for violations: suspension without pay for 1 month (first), 2 months (second), and 6 months (subsequent).
• DECS is tasked with prescribing rules and regulations for implementing the Act and providing copies to the Senate and House within 90 days of approval.
• All conflicting laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations are repealed or modified.
• The Act took effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation on June 11, 1996.
• DECS Order No. 11 s. 1987, implements Section 3 of R.A. No. 8190, prioritizing residents for teaching positions.
• The Order provides guidelines for hiring, prioritizing residents in the barangay where the public school is located.
• This allows the use of local language, helping to enhance local culture for cultural minorities.

Executive Order No. 335 s.1988

• Executive Order No. 335, issued in 1988, mandates all government entities to take necessary steps to use the Filipino language in official transactions, communications, and correspondence.
• The 1987 Constitution states that Filipino is the national language and should be developed, it also states that for communication purposes is Filipino and English.
• Intensified use of Filipino in government is aimed to increase public understanding and appreciation of government programs, projects, and activities, serving as an instrument of unity and helps promote national progress.
• Directs that all governmental departments/bureaus/offices/agencies/instrumentalities should enhance the use of Filipino in official communications and correspondence at the national and local levels.
• Each office must assign personnel to oversee communications and correspondence written in Filipino.
• Names of offices, buildings, and public offices should be translated into Filipino. English translations should be printed in smaller letters if desired.
• Government officials and personnel are to Filipinize the "Oath of Office."
• Training programs for personnel development should include proficiency in using Filipino for official communications and correspondence.
• The Institute of Philippine Languages is tasked with formulating and implementing programs such as information campaigns on the importance of Filipino, translating the Executive Order and government terms translation, training government staff, and monitoring implementation.
• The Institute of Philippine Languages is authorized to coordinate with and request support from all government entities at the national and local levels.
• Executive Order No. 335 supersedes Executive Order No. 187, issued August 6, 1969.
• (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO, then President of the Philippines, signed the executive order.

The Language Policy of the Commission on Higher Education (Higher Education Act of 1994)

• Republic Act No. 7722, the "Higher Education Act of 1994," created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 1994.
• CHED is independent from the DECS, attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes.
• Covers both public and private higher education institutions and degree-granting programs in post-secondary educational institutions.
• CHED updated the General Education Curriculum (GEC) of tertiary courses leading to bachelor's degrees.
• The new GEC requirements are in CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 59, s. 1996, which includes its language policy.
• CHED's language policy follows the Bilingual Education Policy from DECS Order No. 52, Series of 1987.
• Language courses, Filipino or English, should be taught in that language.
• Higher Education Institutions (HEI) can choose the language for literature subjects, as long as there are instructional materials and instructors/professors/students are competent.

Executive Order No. 210 (May 17, 2003)

• Executive Order No. 210 establishes a policy to strengthen English as a medium of instruction in the educational system.
• Section 7, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution designates Filipino and English as official languages for communication and instruction.
• Promotes education as a means to achieve economic development and social progress.
• There is a need to enhance students' aptitude, competence, and proficiency in English to maintain their competitive edge in emerging industries.
• Strengthening English as a medium of instruction relies on improving the educational system as a whole, specifically in educator training and learning resources.
• The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) support the policies in the order.
• English should be taught as a second language starting in First Grade.
• The 2002 Basic Education Curriculum states English is the language of instruction for English, Mathematics, and Science starting in the Third Grade.
• English should be the primary medium of instruction in all public and private secondary institutions.
  • At least 70% of the total time allotment for all learning areas in the secondary level is expected to be conducted in English.
• The objective of these policies is to improve students' aptitude, competence, and proficiency in English to prepare them for technology-driven job opportunities.
• Higher education institutions, including State Colleges and Universities (SUCs), are encouraged to adopt English as the primary instructional medium.
• CHED is tasked with promoting and encouraging the use of English at the tertiary level.
• DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, through the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines, the Educational Development Project Implementing Task Force, and private educational institutions, will evaluate and improve teachers' English proficiency and conduct training programs.
• Implementing authorities shall secure funding for learning materials that develop aptitude, competence, and proficiency in English.
• Collaboration is intended to develop an evaluation instrument for monitoring educators' and students' progress in achieving the policy objectives.
• DepEd and TESDA are directed to implement and monitor this Executive Order in all public and private elementary and secondary institutions.
• DepEd, CHED, and TESDA are authorized to issue rules and regulations for effective implementation.
• Within 30 days of the Executive Order, DepEd, CHED, and TESDA should submit an action plan to the President.
• Filipino will continue to be used as the medium of instruction in Filipino and Araling Panlipunan.
• The Executive Order should not be interpreted as limiting academic freedom.
• Conflicting executive orders, rules, and regulations are repealed, amended, or modified.
• The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon approval.

DepEd Memorandum No. 189, s. 2003

• Establishes the policy to strengthen English as a medium of instruction in the educational system, on June 19, 2003.
• Department Order No. 36, S. 2006 implements the rules and regulations on Executive Order No. 210, August 22, 2006.
• It reiterates increased time allotment in the use of English for classroom instruction, in line with prior guidelines.
• English is to be taught as a second language starting in Grade I.
• Following the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum, English should be used as the instruction language for mathematics, Science and Health starting in Grade III.
• English should be the primary medium of instruction in all public and private schools at the secondary level.
  • At least 70% of learning areas should be taught in English.