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RESOLUTION FOR LANGUAGE CONSERVATION
RESOLUTION FOR LANGUAGE CONSERVATION
DEFENDERS of INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES of the ARCHIPELAGO
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS as early as the tender age of six when our children have not even attained a full vocabulary of their own native tongue, much less developed any love or pride for it yet, they are already made to formally learn another language,
WHEREAS our children as early as the age of six derive a wrong attitude towards their native language and lose respect for it when they see it being cast aside in favor of other languages,
WHEREAS our indigenous languages have long been observed
to be undergoing decadence and are deemed heading towards
eventual extinction.
WHEREAS such local languages or vernaculars are seen to be gradually being marginalized, erased or displaced en masse by a language that has been the national language for well over half a century now.
WHEREAS such languages are the most treasured aspect of our culture considering that without them our ethnic identity would be lost,
WHEREAS we would not be be what we are now, as peoples with distinct cultures and identities if it were not for these languages that serve as cores around which other aspects of our respective cultures revolve,
WHEREAS we don't want such languages to be considered or treated as mere dialects, because no linguist in his right mind has ever considered them mutually intelligible,
WHEREAS on account of our love and pride for them, we want to prevent them from dying like the three thousand other languages predicted to disappear during this century,
WHEREAS the disappearance of indigenous languages is
expected to be by leaps and bounds during these decades
on account of modern technology,
WHEREAS cultural diversity is being encouraged in most
parts of the world as it enriches and enhances a country's
self esteem,
WHEREAS the conservation of languages is just as significant,
if not more, than the conservation of endangered animal species
on account of its direct link on people's culture,
WHEREAS we see in the status quo something that resembles ethnic
weeding and which we want to put to a stop,
WHEREAS in addition to this concern we have regarding
language, the economic progress of most regions in the
Philippines is hampered by what seems to be the fault of
a present system,
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Defenders of Indigenous Languages
of the Archipelago, otherwise known by its acronym, DILA,
by virtue of the authority we have vested in ourselves as speakers of such native languages, do appeal, as we hereby appeal, to our legislators for help in this worthy cause by presenting to them our main goals, viz.:
1. To make all indigenous languages the medium of instruction
in the primary grades (including kindergarten) of all schools in lieu of Filipino and English. Examples: Kapampangan shall be the language of learning in all primary schools in Pampanga and other areas where the said language is native or indigenous to, and Cebuano shall be the one in Cebu and other Cebuano-speaking areas, etc.
2. To make English the medium of instruction from fifth grade through college while including or retaining Filipino and the local language as subjects,
3. To include the local language of any region as a subject in the elementary, high school and college curricula. Examples: Karay-a shall be taught as a subject in Antique, Aklanon in Aklan, Ilonggo in Iloilo, Kapampangan in Pampanga, Waray in Samar, Bicol in Camarines, Bisaya in Bohol, IIocano in La Union, Ibanag in Cagayan, Maguindanao in Cotabato, Maranao in Lanao, Igorot in Banguet, Pangasinan in western Pangasinan, Tagalog in Mindoro, etc. In addition, English shall also be included as a separate subject.
3. To have the Philippine territory partitioned into states with boundaries strictly according to major ethno-linguistic lines and not on population. (This is if ever we adopt a federal system of government.) Examples: Pampanga and Pangasinan shall each be made a state separate from the rest of Central and Northern Luzon; a Tagalog state shall include all the Tagalog-speaking portions of Central Luzon added to its southern base; Cebu shall cover the present Central Visayan region plus some parts of Mindanao, etc.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this
26th day of August (coinciding with the anniversary of the
Cry of Balintawak), in the year of our Lord two thousand three.
Sgd.:
Tim Harvey (Chairman)
Josie Henson (members)
Ruben Henson
Simeon Mamaril
Bobby Avila
Jed Pensar
Ava Vios
Herb Benjie Mantawe
Lino Faelnar
David Martinez
Dindo Generoso
Carl Rubino
Edwin Camaya
Ronald Llanos
Chris Sundita
Jason Lobel
Ariel Malig
Cynthia Reyes Mounts
Tony Mercado Pena
Jerry Miraflor
Carmen Miraflor
Maripal Santiago
Gerald Arcilla Santos
Douglas Bonifacio
Agustin Balatbat
Ernie Turla
Danny Gil
Harvey Fiji
Santiago Villafania
Lynn Tolen
Melissa Christoffels
Anne Clyde Sason
Rafael Maniago
Udis Manalansan Lord, Ph.D
Renato Alzadon
Rey Maniago
Rolando de Jesus
Arnold Batul
Joyce Dayrit Navarro, M.D.
John Alamarez
Frida Alejandrino
Nancy Lagman Tremblay
Helen Lagman Dizon
Lauren Laxamana
Letty Inpera
Mildred Lugtu
Portia Lugtu
Ryan Lugtu
Ivy Dizon
Ben Lagman
Jim Lagman
Zeny Lugtu
Consuelo Estrada
Corazon Lagman.
et al
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