Here's the resolution for language conservation by the DEFENDERS of INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES in the ARCHIPELAGO (DILA) in which I am now a member.
DILA-philippines is a union among patriotic Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, Pampanguenos, Bicolanos, Warays, Karay-as, Ilongos, Cebuanos, and other minority ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines (as well as Tagalogs who are sympathetic to our cause) who feel aggrieved by the language policy of their country, and whose passion in life centers around promoting their dear languages (and other aspects of their culture) and saving them from extinction. Love and pride for their languages motivated them into forging this grand alliance.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS as early as the age of six when our children have not even attained a full vocabulary of their native tongue, much less developed any love or pride for it, they are already made to formally learn a foreign language,
WHEREAS our children derive a wrong attitude towards their native language and lose respect to 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 languages are the most treasured aspect of our culture considering that without them our ethnic identity would be lost,
WHEREAS on account of our love and pride for them, we want to prevent them from dying like the three thousand 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 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 in 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 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 (except in foreign language courses), in lieu of Filipino.
3. to include English and the indigenous languages of all regions as subjects 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 from first grade through college.
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 two.
DILA-philippines is a union among patriotic Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, Pampanguenos, Bicolanos, Warays, Karay-as, Ilongos, Cebuanos, and other minority ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines (as well as Tagalogs who are sympathetic to our cause) who feel aggrieved by the language policy of their country, and whose passion in life centers around promoting their dear languages (and other aspects of their culture) and saving them from extinction. Love and pride for their languages motivated them into forging this grand alliance.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS as early as the age of six when our children have not even attained a full vocabulary of their native tongue, much less developed any love or pride for it, they are already made to formally learn a foreign language,
WHEREAS our children derive a wrong attitude towards their native language and lose respect to 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 languages are the most treasured aspect of our culture considering that without them our ethnic identity would be lost,
WHEREAS on account of our love and pride for them, we want to prevent them from dying like the three thousand 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 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 in 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 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 (except in foreign language courses), in lieu of Filipino.
3. to include English and the indigenous languages of all regions as subjects 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 from first grade through college.
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 two.
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