The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) joined hands with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to protect the Filipino and other Philippine Languages, especially with the languages used by the Indigenous People.
This was after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Hon. Benjamin M. Mendillo Dr., Fulltime Commissioner for Administration and Finance, KWF; Hon. Jennifer Pia Sibug-las, Commissioner, NCIP; Hon. Allen A. Capuyan, Chairman, NCIP; Hon. Rogelio Francisco M. Bantayan Jr., Executive Director, NCIP; and Hon Arthur P. Casanova, Chairman, KWF.
Commissioner Mendillo, Jr. believes the memorandum with NCIP demonstrates the KWF’s ability to use output indicators in the most productive way to deliver public service using language, as well as the KWF’s mandate to protect indigenous languages with the assistance of NICP to streamline the process for language activities.
“Ang inyong mandato at mandato namin sa pamamagitan ng MOU na ito ang titiyak sa hinaharap na mapalalakas natin ang wikang Filipino at mga wika ng Pilipinas dahil tayo ngayon ay nabigkis ng isang layuning pangwikang magbibigay sigla sa pananaliksik-wika gamit ang teknolohiya na isang inobasyon upang maging episyente at accessible ang impormasyon sa publiko,” Comm. Mendillo, Jr. added.
However, NCIP Commissioner Jennifer Pia Sibug-las, was saddened to think that despite the rapid development of the way Filipino lives, it is also the cause for the gradual decline in our native habits and languages.
“Patuloy natin na naipapása at naisalin natin gáling sa mga nakakatanda sa mga kabataan ngayon. Sapagkat ang kultura ay isang habi na nag-uugnay sa atin at ang ating mga ninuno sa nakaraan at sa kasalukuyang henerasyon,” Comm. Subug-las said.
NCIP Commissioner Capuyan further stated that it is impossible to deny that some of our native languages have vanished, are vanishing, and are on the verge of extinction. If it is not protected and maintained, not only will the communication bridge be gone, but it will also have an impact on our culture, traditions, and identity.
Moreover, KWF Chairman Arthur P. Casanova said that the KWF and NCIP agreements would promote research that respects indigenous rights, as there has been some questionable research in recent years, as well as inaccurate descriptions of indigenous groups’ lifestyles.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is one of the first stages in KWF and NCIP’s continuous efforts to strengthen their separate law-enforcement procedures in order to save the country’s endangered languages.
